Author: Chiazo Ogbolu

Sallah
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, June 14, 2024 The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Sector Command, has deployed 3,500 personnel and 45 patrol vehicles for the safety of residents during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos, Mr Patrick Davou, said this on Friday while presenting the FRSC Core Marshal, Mohammed Shehu’s message on the level of preparedness for the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol.
“The Lagos command has commenced the deployment of 3,500 personnel, 45 patrol vehicles, three ambulances, 11 power bikes, three heavy duty towing trucks and others.
“We hope that with this deployment in Lagos and others done nationwide, at the end of the Sallah celebration, we will record no death in the country.
“All FRSC men will be working 24/7 to ensure the safety of the motoring public during the celebration,” he said.
On Shehu’s message, Davou lamented the recent developments on our roads such as the ugly trend of using trailers/trucks to convey human beings, night trips and speed violations, among others.
He noted that the corps had step-up measures to confront the challenges.
He said the corps had collaborated with the Nigeria Bar Association and state judiciaries for timely prosecution of drivers and vehicle owners caught contravening established traffic regulations such as overloading and dangerous driving, among others.
“The corps in collaboration with Beer Sectorial Group made available adequate breathalyzer and deployed to motor parks and highways to check drivers who control the wheel under the influence of alcohol.
“The menace of drivers that convey human beings, goods and animals at the same time has led to the flag-off of the inter-agency Joint Task Force to enforce compliance and they have successfully arrested 222 trailers loaded with 3,169 passengers hanging on top of goods and animals,” he said.
He said the objectives of the special operations was to achieve reduction in road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries.
He said  the corps would combine engagement of the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes, strengthening of surveillance activities to regulate unprofessional excesses.
“Drivers should imbibe the culture of courtesy, civility and consideration for other road users, they should do the right thing at the right time.
“I wish to call on the motoring public, especially commuters to know that the corps cannot achieve crash-free celebration unless they play their parts in checking the excesses of these drivers anytime they transit from one destination to another,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CAN/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Garages

By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sanctioned 52 commercial vehicles for operating illegal garages and parking around Obalende and Iyana-Oworonsoki areas of the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, on Friday in Lagos.
According to Adebayo, this is part of efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow across Lagos.
He said the 52 vehicle owners would be arraigned at the mobile court for traffic offences.
Adebayo said the operation led by LASTMA Director of Operations, Mr Peter Gbegemede, was due to the directives of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa.
Adebayo quoted Giwa as saying that the drivers of these commercial vehicles, including private car owners, had been repeatedly warned by the government before the enforcement operations commenced.
“These operations will continue, reflecting the authority’s zero tolerance for indiscriminate parking and any impediments to free traffic flow across Lagos,” he said.
He added that Giwa was concerned over the unsightly and disruptive activities of commercial bus operators, which cause significant traffic issues for innocent motorists.
“To ensure smooth and seamless traffic for Lagosians during this festive season and beyond, 52 commercial vehicles were sanctioned for obstructing the free flow of traffic at Obalende and Iyana-Oworonsoki.
“The enforcement operations will be ongoing with zero tolerance for illegal garages and indiscriminate parking. We will also remove any impediments on our roads in Lagos,” he said.
He urged motorists to take ownership of the roads and promptly inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned truck via the agency’s hotlines: 08100565860, 08129928490, 08129928515, and 08129928593. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CAN/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Down: 3rd left, Managing Director of LBSL Mr Idowu Oguntona, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and LBSL staff

Bus

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos Bus Services Ltd. (LBSL) has trasported  more than 52 million people in the past  five years.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LBSL, Mr Idowu Oguntona, made the disclosure on Friday in Lagos during a fitness walk organised by the organisation.

The walk was part of activities to mark the organisation’s  five years of operation.

Oguntona said that, on a daily basis, the company provided mobility for 60,000 Lagos residents, adding that it had  covered over 27 million kilometers.

“We started in 2019 with just five routes, and under the five years, with the commitment of the governor, those five routes have since turned to 19 routes, giving people options across the whole of Lagos State.

“In addition to that, we started with about 50 buses, but the governor, keeping his promises to Lagos residents, has scaled the buses to 300.

“What the governor promised in terms of providing reliable, efficient and safe public transportation has happened, and that is why we feel that there is need to celebrate the achievements of this company,” he said.

The LBSL boss added that the organisation’s   academy had trained 2,000 Lagos residents and equipped them with skills to be able to secure jobs.

The managing director said that the company had committed workers.

“As early as 5.00 a.m., buses leave the post.  The captains that will man the buses leave their homes as early as 4.00 a.m. to get to the station to provide transportation for early risers in Lagos.

“The last bus does not come in until past eleven in the night.

“This is not also the end of the service because, as people are sleeping, that is the time mechanical work happens on the buses. The buses are washed and fueled to be ready for the next day,” he said.

He said that workers  could get so soaked in in their jobs that they might not pay attention to their health.

“We decided to promote the wellness, a health walk, and beyond that, we are checking their vitals  – blood pressure, sugar level –  to ensure they are sound,” he said.

He said that being a socially-responsible organisation, LBSL carried out corporate social responsibilities within communities  and recognised efforts of hardworking staff.

“All of these achievements are because of the policy of the government in ensuring that there is a sustainable and well-integrated public transportation which we keyed into.

“Going forward, there is much to expect, and in keeping in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu on blue economy, it means that public transportation will be running on clean energy, leveraging the huge gas possibility that we have to power our locomotive.

“We will de-carbonise our fleets so that we will be environment-friendly. Lagos residents will see buses with compressed natural gas and electric engines.

“We have started a pilot with the private sector under the leadership of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority to see how the buses can adapt to our environment,” he said.

The managing director said that Lagos residents should  expect wider coverage.

“Currently, we have about 33 routes, we want all Lagosians to have these options, to have a feel of what government is doing to ensure full social inclusion,” he said.

He regretted that the company lost about 55 buses to  the Endsars protest of October  2020.

He, however, said that the company had recovered through commitment, doggedness and resilience of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The state Commissioner of Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said that movement of goods and services was  an integral part of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of  the state government.

“We have an ever-growing number in Lagos when it comes to population.

“Seven or eight years ago, we were talking about seven million people. Today, we have about 24 million, and this gave birth to our intermodal transportation system.

“In land, we are intentional in moving people, and over time, we will be doing a lot of re-routing in high capacity routes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CANI/GO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Lagos stops 25% rebate on bus, ferry, train fares

Rebate

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) says the 25 per cent   rebate on fares  for regulated public bus, ferry and train services ends on Sunday (June 2).

LAMATA made this known on its official X handle.

“From June 3, fares on all regulated transport services in the state will return to the original 100 per cent,” it said.

Recall that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Feb. 23, announced a 25 per cent rebate on the fares to mitigate the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy on Lagos residents. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CAN/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

LASPA to hospitality sector: Comply with Lagos Parking Policy

Parking

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Lagos, June 1, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has urged stakeholders in the hospitality industry to comply with Lagos state parking policy.

It called on those in the industry to make adequate arrangements to meet customers’ parking needs.

The General Manager, LASPA, Mrs Adebisi Adelabu, said these in a statement on Saturday, in Lagos.

Adelabu said it was the duty of those who own and operate facilities such as hotels, bars and events centres to make adequate parking provision for their customers/clients.

“If you have an event centre, hotel or restaurant, ideally, you should make sure you have enough parking,” she said.

The LASPA general manager said that the authority was not quick to take punitive measures, but rather sought voluntary compliance.

“The authority usually explores all available options to sensitise the public before commencement of any enforcement exercise.

“We, as an agency, are not here to disrupt your businesss; what we ask is that you don’t make your businesses an infringement to the rights of others, ensure you comply with the dictates of the parking policy,” she said.

Adelabu urged event centres to ensure ample parking provision for their guests right from the outset of constructing their facilities.

She emphasised that according to the law, anyone planning to build a structure for social gatherings must conduct a traffic impact assessment prior to construction, and the approved designs must be strictly followed.

She also assured some event centres and corporate entities grappling with inadequate parking spaces of the authority’s preparedness to assist them in establishing alternative arrangements whenever necessary.

Adelabu affirmed that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration was making significant investments in an intermodal transport system to reduce reliance on car travel.

“Lagos residents now have access to trains and boats as well as options like LAGRIDE or the first and last mile buses to complete their journeys,” she said.

The LASPA boss appealed to corporate entities, car park operators and others in the sector on timely payment of their rates, to avoid enforcement measures.

She also called on Lagos residents to cooperate with LASPA to keep the roads clear of illegal parking, urging anyone with parking related issues to contact the agency. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CAN/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle