In a move aimed at checking perennial gridlocks and the effects on the economy and residents of Lagos, the state government has directed commercial transporters, traders and others whose activities are obstructing free flow of traffic on major roads, to vacate the roadsides within seven days.
Areas mostly affected, according to the state government, include Yaba, Ketu Ikorodu, Lekki/Ajah, Iyana Ipaja, Ikotun and Oyingbo.
Similar moves by previous governments, including the immediate past administration of Akinwunmi Ambode to dislodge traders and transporters from some roads in the metropolis had come to nothing. How far the renewed effort by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration will go is yet to be seen.
Commissioner for transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, who addressed stakeholders at a meeting on Thursday, intervention by the government, has become necessary to deal with the chronic gridlocks ravaging the state. Motorists and commuters now spend upwards of six hours on some roads for journeys that should ordinary take less than two hours due to gridlock occasioned by bad roads, street trading and illegal occupation of the roads by transporters.
Oladeinde believed that compliance with the ultimatum, which takes effect from Friday, October 4, would unlock gridlocks, especially around the areas mentioned. He noted that enforcement would commence immediately at the expiration of the ultimatum.
“In dealing with these identified locations, we are serving a seven-day abatement notice to all concerned from October 4, 2019 and thereafter prepare them for full enforcement of traffic laws and their attendant fines and penalties.
“The full force enforcement would commence at the expiration of the seven days on October 11. Be also informed that enforcement team would have its members drawn from road union members, traders across different locations, task force, police, traffic management agencies and other stakeholders in the transport sector,” he said.
Oladeinde, represented by his permanent secretary, Olawale Musa, lamented it was common to find vehicles illegally parked on either side of the road while others drive on or across the road medians.
The commissioner noted that decongesting the roads was a task requiring collective efforts and starts from obeying traffic laws and regulations.
JOSHUA BASSEY
