Transportation

Desist from indiscriminate parking along Lagos Ibadan expressway – Fashola

By Web News 1053

The Federal government has directed trucks drivers to desist from indiscriminate parking of vehicles along the Lagos – Ibadan expressway corridor.

The Minister of works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola gave the directive in Ogere, Ogun State at a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders on the Reconstruction and Expansion of Lagos Ibadan dual carriage ways.

The stakeholders meeting held at Ogere Remo axis of the expressway attracted key players in the transport sector, traditional rulers and community leaders, representatives of civil society groups and road traffic management agencies among others.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of works and Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola explained that indiscriminate parking of trucks along the Lagos Ibadan expressway, particularly at Ogere axis of the highway was hindering the ongoing three hundred and eleven billion Naira Lagos – Ibadan road project.

While pointing out that parking on the highway was a violation of Federal highway act, Mr Fashola urged the Federal Road Safety Corp, to intensify efforts towards enforcing traffic compliance on federal highways.

In a remark, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun who appealed to the Federal government to give special consideration to federal roads in the state maintained that most of the roads were in deplorable condition due to the activities of heavy duty trucks passing through the roads.

Governor Abiodun explained that his administration was rehabilitating Ogere trailer park, pointing out that arrangements had been concluded to build a trailer park at Sagamu interchange with a view to decongesting the Lagos Ibadan expressway.

Governor Abiodun also promised that fire stations would be established at Isheri and Mowe areas of the state to respond to fire emergencies along the expressway.

In a remark, The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Elepe of Epe, Oba Adewale Osiberu, urged the Federal government to give attention to Sagamu-Ogijo-Ikorodu road to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

IBolanle Adesida

Transportation

We will control influx of Okada and Keke – OYRTMA Boss

By Web News 914

Oyo State Government has pledged to strictly control the influx and operations of commercial motorcycles in the state following the ban of operations of commercial motorcycles in neighboring Lagos state.

Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi said this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

Dr. Fagbemi while noting that the agency awaits the position of Governor Seyi Makinde on the proscription or otherwise of motorcycles within the major highways in the state said OYRTMA was on top of its game.

Dr. Fagbemi disclosed that OYRTMA has put in place measures to have a central database of all commercial cabs, tricycles and motorcycle operators within the state to identity operators and their vehicles.

He said measures were at an advanced stage to kick-start the routing of all commercial cabs, tricycles, and motorcycles across the State. 

This according to him would enhance easy identification in cases of stolen vehicles/motorcycles, road crashes and operational axis.

Similarly, Dr. Fagbemi said with the support of sister security agencies, OYRTMA would continue with its “Special Operation-one-Passenger” (SOOP), which directs motorcycle operators within the state to carry only one passenger as against the common practice of two or more passengers.

The statement added that the operation, which started January 2020, has brought to book with over two hundred offenders who are presently facing Mobile Magistrate Court for legal adjudication and sanctions if found guilty.

Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

FG Lacks Jurisdiction to Intervene in Lagos Okada Ban – Amaechi

By Web News 715

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, says the federal government does not have the jurisdiction to intervene in the recent ban of Okada and tricycles in some parts of Lagos State.

The Lagos state government started to implement a ban on motorcycles, popularly known as Okadas, and tricycles in major parts of the state on Saturday.

However, the Minister, told newsmen that the Federal Government could not intervene in the matter as it was a state affair.

However, Mr. Amaechi, pointed out that the reason for the ban included insecurity and increased Okada accidents in the state.

He added that likely problems to face were unemployment and an increase in crime.

Adewumi Faniran