The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 20 painted/unpainted commercial vehicles at the state’s Apongbon Bridge and Ikorodu Roundabout.
In an electronically signed press release submitted to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, by the agency’s director of public affairs, Adebayo Taofiq, Adebayo Taofiq stated: “To allow free flow of traffic and a full crackdown on commercial bus operations Ensuring illegal garages/parking on bridges and roundabouts across the state Lagos State Traffic Management Authority’s (LASTMA) Enforcement Unit seized 20 commercial vehicles (painted/unpainted) at the Apongbon Bridge and Ikorodu Roundabouts over the weekend.
According to the statement, “The agency’s director-general, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, said while speaking on the enforcement exercise that the illegal activities of the owners of the commercial buses/cars on bridges and roundabouts across the state violate the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Act 2018.
He went on to say it was disgusting to see these commercial bus drivers constitute public nuisance by operating illegally on bridges and roundabouts, causing avoidable traffic jams and harassing other motorists and road users.
Mr Oreagba announced the agency’s enforcement unit had to begin drills at the Apongbon Bridge and Ikorodu roundabouts after several warnings were issued by recalcitrant drivers who did not want to drive in government-designated garages and parks across the state had not obeyed to them.
He noted that since the current government is expending enormous resources on building standard bus terminals in all parts of the state, the agency would not rest on its laurels to curb illegal activities by the recalcitrant commercial bus/car operators.
“We would continue to ensure the free flow of traffic around bridges and roundabouts across the state by expanding our enforcement and enforcement actions against these persistent commercial buses operating illegal parks, garages and auto markets across the state,” Oreagba said.
Echoing the same sentiment, Mr. Odunuga Olukayode, the head of LASTMA’s enforcement unit, said the agency is committed to continuing to crack down on the nefarious activities of disobedient commercial vehicle operators until zero tolerance for illegal garages and parks is achieved in the state.
Mr Odunuga also announced that the arrested drivers of the 20 impounded commercial buses have each been fined N100,000 after they all pleaded guilty to their charges when charged in a Mobile Court.
