Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Task Force is set to prosecute 10 arrested vehicle owners and drivers for driving against traffic (one-way) over the weekend.
Stating this was the taskforce chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
Egbeyemi who led the enforcement exercise disclosed that the 10 offenders were apprehended around Dopemu, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege and Mile 2.
He said driving against on-coming vehicles contravenes Schdule (1) item 27 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of 2012.
The chairman said, ” it is disheartening to see both commercial bus drivers and educated private car owners driving against traffic across the state.
“Even with the high level of enlightenment campaigns by the government, motorists can still be driving against traffic without fear of crushing an innocent passersby or imminent collusion with other on-coming vehicles.”
“However, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu has directed that the enforcement operations on motorists driving against traffic by the Agency be extended to every parts of the state”
Egbeyemi therefore urged motorists, particularly commercial bus drivers to desist from driving against traffic and obey different traffic signs conspicuously displayed by traffic officers in all parts of the state.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has issued a notice of ‘Removal Order’ to all owners and occupiers of illegal shanties, Kiosks and containarised shops along Okokomaiko, Iba-LASU road to Badagry.
CSP Egbeyemi said the notice of ‘Removal Order’ became necessary in preparation for the commencement of rehabilitation works by the State government along the corridor.
He further commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for declaring zero tolerance on all roads pot-holes stating that this will considerably help in enhancing the free flow of traffic across the State after the rehabilitation exercise.
According to the Chairman “The Governor was touched by the discomfort being experienced on daily basis as a result of these bad roads and has vowed to ameliorate the sufferings of residents and commuters, especially those plying the Okokomaiko to Badagry express-way by rehabilitating the road.”
CSP Egbeyemi confirmed that a general clean up exercise of all these illegal shaties, kiosks and containarised shops would commence soon.
He however warned residents and Illegal traders to stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on railway tracks, road-setbacks, median and walk-ways around Okokomaiko to Badagry as anyone caught in this act would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation.