Joy Anyim
Ade Abass, a clothier whose 2008 Hyundai Elantra car was among the vehicles auctioned by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) for traffic violations has appealed to the state government to review the severe punishment.
Abass who said that his vehicle was being used as Uber cab before it was impounded for driving against traffic, contended that auctioning offenders’ impounded vehicles would throw the affected citizens into further depression.
Describing year 2020 as a tough year for him, Abass said although he had joined the auctioning to bid for his vehicle and fortunately became the highest bidder at N300,000, he does not have the money to pay for the vehicle.
He said his ordeal started during the lockdown occasioned by Covid-19, lamenting that business has not been same after the easing of the lockdown.
Abass also revealed that his shop located on Lagos Island was looted during the #EndSARS unrest, hence his inability to fend for his family, and the decision to convert his car into a taxi.
While pleading with the state government, Abass said: ”The pandemic and the lockdown had made the year unproductive. The EndSARS protest also affected my business because my shop on the Lagos Island was broken into by hoodlums.
“These challenges made me put up my car for Uber so that the driver can be delivering some money weekly to sustain my family. We had the agreement three months ago and he has been delivering without hiccups until he was caught driving against traffic around Costain area of the state.
“I was the final bidder for my car at N300,000 but the truth is “I don’t even have the money to pay for it. I was recently given a court order by my landlord to quit his house. Honestly, I just do not know how I am going to make ends meet. I am appealing to the Lagos State Government to help us out in whatever way it can use its good office to.”
The Nigerian Xpress reports that the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce), had auctioned 44 vehicles earlier forfeited to the Lagos State Government for violating traffic laws of the state.
According to the Agency’s Head, Public Affairs Unit, Adebayo Taofiq, the exercise which held at the Taskforce Carpark Alausa, Ikeja, was done following a court order.
Taofiq who stated that the exercise was not punitive but corrective in nature, said it was backed by the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform of 2018.
He noted that the traffic offenders had earlier been charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court and the court had forfeited their vehicles to the Lagos State Government.
“The vehicles being auctioned today were apprehended and forfeited to the Lagos State Government for driving against traffic at different locations across the state. After the forfeiture, the law says we embark on auction but before we can embark on auction, we have to get a court order which we applied for and we were given the court order.
“After which, we made a publication informing interested members of the public, particularly owners of these vehicles to come for the auction exercise.”
He stated further that auctioning the forfeited vehicles would help check lawless road users, who drive with impunity.
”For instance take the menace of the Okada riders who use their bikes to rob victims across the state, Should the government fold its arms and watch as the standard of the state is being reduced to zero?
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“Immediately after the EndSARS protest, Lagos was locked down by motorists driving against traffic, driving on lanes designated for Bus Rapid Terminal (BRT) buses, causing obstruction on highways, not minding security personnel on the road.
“The auctioning is to serve as a deterrent to others to desist from going against traffic rules and be orderly when on the road,” he said.
Taofiq urged motorists and all road users to obey traffic laws in the state, as such laws are for the good of all.
“If these laws can be adhered to, then there will not be much casualties in the hospitals because of Okada accidents or from collision as a result of vehicles plying one-way. Those who drive against traffic usually hit people because when people want to cross the road they will not be expecting a car coming from the opposite direction.
”By the time we follow the law, there will be orderliness and sanity on our highways. The laws forbid driving against traffic, driving on BRT corridors and causing obstruction on the highways. Once you are caught, you will be charged to court.”
Several owners of forfeited vehicle were present at the auctioning, but not many were fortunate to get back their vehicles due to the open bid.
