LAGOS GOVT WARNS MOTORISTS AGAINST PARKING ON LAY-BYS
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has on Thursday, issued a warning to motorists in the state against parking on lay-bys, an act which, according to him, contributes to traffic congestion and inconvenience for the public in the state.
Osiyemi sounded the note of warning during an unscheduled enforcement exercise alongside the Ministry of Transportation’s Traffic Enforcement Team at Ojodu Berger inward and outward Lagos.
A statement late Thursday said the commissioner led the operation to ensure that public transportation facilities were used as intended and to alleviate the traffic issues in the Ojodu-Berger area.
It added, “He ensured that lay-bys, which had been permanently converted into bus parks by mini-buses, popularly known as ‘Korope,’ were all cleared from the lay-bys.
“Addressing the bus drivers at the location, Osiyemi equally sounded notes of warning to public transport vehicle drivers in other areas of the state who are also engaging in such practices to desist as it will soon be their turn in the ongoing enforcement.
“He also addressed the issue of unregistered and unpainted vehicles, advising their owners to do the needful or face the consequences of their actions in line with the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.”
It was reported that the ministry, on Tuesday, impounded over 200 unregistered and unpainted vehicles in an enforcement exercise across the state.
Meanwhile, while carrying out the enforcement exercise at Ojodu Berger, a 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned, resulting in the spillage of its contents. The event “led to traffic congestion and warranted immediate attention,” according to the statement.
“The commissioner and his team promptly inspected the scene of the incident on Otedola Bridge, working closely with relevant agencies and authorities to ensure that the situation was brought under control. Safety measures and traffic management procedures were implemented to minimise the impact of the highly flammable spillage and ease the traffic congestion,” it further read.
Osiyemi further reiterates the government’s resolve to ease transportation in the state, adding, “The actions taken today in Ojodu Berger and at Otedola Bridge demonstrate our resolve to enhance transportation infrastructure and ensure the safety and convenience of the public.”
Accompanying the commissioner on the enforcement exercise were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Wale Musa; the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr Bolaji Oreagba; and the Director of the Lagos State Vehicle Service, Mr Akin-George Fashola, among others.