By Moses Akaigwe
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has explained that the plan to crackdown on unregistered vehicles plying Lagos roads was influenced by the need to checkmate the activities of some criminal elements who devise various operational strategies, including the use of such automobiles, to attack unsuspecting members of the public;
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, who made the clarification in Alausa, Ikeja, stated that the use of unregistered vehicles for criminal activities makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track or trace the perpetrators.
Toriola had warned that the Lagos State Government would henceforth begin the clampdown on all unregistered vehicles in line with section 16 and 196 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018, in order to further enhance the safety and protection of lives and property in the State.
He explained that number plate is a vital security feature of any vehicle as it is the only means of identifying the detail of vehicles that are registered in the data base of the State Government.
The Permanent Secretary further revealed that the law enforcement agencies would commence the immediate impoundment of vehicles without number plates, and vehicles with covered number plates in a bid to promote the safety and security of lives and property as well as restore sanity on Lagos roads.
He urged motorists who have been defiant to the State traffic law to make amends by registering their vehicles under the relevant Agencies including the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) in order to prevent the clamp down of their vehicles.
For individuals who are at the moment not willing to register their vehicles for one reason or the other, the Permanent Secretary advised them to contact the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency {MVAA} for the issuance of Temporary Vehicle Tag (TVT) in line with section 193 of the TSRL, 2018, pending their final decision on permanent registration or otherwise.
He, however, urged citizens to adhere strictly and cooperate with the state government, saying the step is being taken in line with the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018, reiterating that the move would strengthen the security architecture already put in place by the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
In a related development, and in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Engr. Toriola has charged the ministry’s agencies to drive new initiatives that will improve traffic management and transportation in the state.
The Permanent Secretary gave the charge during a visit to the Head Offices of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) and the Lagos State Bus Service Limited (LBSL), all in Oshodi.
He said that traffic management and transportation are key to driving the economy of the state, hence it is in the front burner in the current administration’s scheme of things.
Toriola admonished LASTMA Personnel to be alert in the wake of wanton destruction of road infrastructure by some defiant Motorists stressing that Officers deployed to different parts of the metropolis needs to be observant and proactive in the discharge of their duties.
The Permanent Secretary further urged the traffic management team to identify unauthorized bus stops used by recalcitrant commercial bus drivers with a view of curbing their excesses, declaring that yellow bus operators and commuters will be made to utilize approved bus stops as this will help reduce traffic congestion on the roads.
He equally charged LASDRI officials to discharge the institute’s responsibility with utmost professionalism, noting that drivers need to put up positive attitude while on the road, stressing the need for their training and retraining. He re-emphasized the institute’s role at reducing road accidents.
The Transport Permanent Secretary further accentuate the need for the Lagos Bus Service Limited (LBSL) to look inward for new innovations that can improve its operation so as to be more efficient in the delivery of its services, and also the need for continuous training of the bus drivers by LASDRI.
In response, to the Permanent Secretary’s remarks, all heads of agencies visited assured of their utmost cooperation in achieving the agencies statutory mandates.
The acronym, T.H.E.M.E.S, represents the six pillars of the Lagos state’s strategic development agenda, namely: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology.