By Moshood Adebayo
Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday put paid to speculations on the fate of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) on state roads.
He said VIOs have been banned permanently and directed that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stay on the fringes and highways in the state, and, not on the main streets of Lagos.
Ambode said this during the official commissioning of pedestrian bridges, lay-bys and slip roads at Ojodu-Berger area of the state.
The governor, who lamented that the two agencies were contributing to traffic challenges on Lagos roads, added that his administration will employ technologies to track and monitor vehicle registration and Ministry of Transport (MOT) certification.
“Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate that VIOs have been asked to stay off our roads permanently.
“We also advise the FRSC to stay on the fringes and highways and not on the main streets of Lagos.”
On the inauguration of the Berger road project, Ambode said it was one of the promises he made during his campaigns.
“At the inception of this administration in May 2015, the traffic situation at the Ojodu Berger axis was one of the challenges we identified as requiring urgent attention.
“This decision was informed by the strategic importance of this axis being a major gateway into our state. What we set out to achieve with this project was to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the express, safeguard the lives of our people who had to run across the express and project the image of a truly global city to our visitors.
“Today, we are delighted that we have not only succeeded in transforming the landscape of this axis but with the slip road, lay-bys and pedestrian bridge, we have given a new and pleasant experience to all entering and exiting our state.”
He assured that his administration will not stop with the Ojodu Berger axis alone.
“This is an ongoing process and we are working to create solutions to traffic congestion in every part of the state. If your neighbourhood or community is experiencing traffic challenges, be rest assured that we will soon be there.”