Thelma Osatohanmwen
The Lagos State Government has given motorists and commercial bus drivers a seven-day ‘Vacation Order’ to stop operating on top of bridges in the state.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that the order takes effect from Monday, October 16, 2023, as issued by the state government.
According to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, the ‘Vacation Order’ was issued to address the issue of commercial bus drivers, also known as ‘danfo drivers’, causing traffic congestion and damaging the integrity of bridges despite prior warnings.
He also noted that the order will improve the congestion of vehicles in the state as the state government has constructed bus terminals and garages for commercial activities in the state.
In a statement by the spokesman for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, who spoke on behalf of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said that,
“Every motorist/commercial bus driver operating along ‘Apongbon’ and ‘Idumota’ (Cater) Bridges, ‘Elegbata:, ‘Ebute-Ero’ and ‘Ejalonibu’ must as a matter of urgency vacate these areas as LASTMA would commence strict enforcement operation immediately after the expiration of this ultimatum until zero tolerance is achieved across the state.”
Giwa also mentioned that the actions of the bus drivers on bridges are against the regulations stated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 as amended.
He emphasized that violators will face prosecution in the Lagos State Mobile Court after the ultimatum period lapses.