8th October, 2012
The Lagos State Government has denied banning private vehicles with other states’ number plates from plying roads in the state.
Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, while reacting to a report that vehicles with other states’ number plates have been banned from plying Lagos roads, said there had never been any time the state government made such pronouncement, adding that number plate is unified all over the Federation.
Opeifa explained that only vehicles operating as commercial public transport would have to obtain the state’s number plate before being allowed to operate in and on Lagos roads, saying this was necessary to enable government have adequate information about such vehicles.
The commissioner said to ensure the safety and security of lives of the people in the State, Regulation 41 sub-section 1 of the Road Traffic Law stipulated that “No person shall operate or cause to be operated a commercial vehicle without having obtained a commercial vehicle operator licence from the Lagos State Government.”
He added that every license issued shall bear a distinct number which shall be painted conspicuously on the front and rear part of the vehicle or in any other manner as might be prescribed by the Ministry of Transportation.
Opeifa said that for emphasis, the position of the government was that any commercial vehicle used for public transportation purpose within Lagos must obtain a permit from the government, while the owner of such vehicle must have the vehicle registered in Lagos State.
He appealed to motorists to be cautious and ensure the safety of other road users whenever they drive on the road.
Meanwhile, the state government has taken its road traffic law campaign to motor parks in Lagos to sensitise commercial transporters on the need to comply voluntarily with the new traffic law, while officials of government distributed abridged copies of the traffic law to motorists in Ikeja.
Director, Vehicle Inspection Office, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola said the government decided to come out with the traffic law in order to ensure sanity, security, standard and safety on Lagos roads.
He noted that the old law, which was enacted in 1949 was passed when the population of Lagos was still 300,000 and that such law could not in any way be used to govern a state that is now about 20 million in population.
“What we want from motorists is to comply with the new law. With this law, you cannot sell alcohol in motor parks again. We want drivers who are competent to drive on our roads; if you want to obtain your road worthiness certificate, the VIOs are there to help you. You must ensure your vehicles are road-worthy.
“We need to comply with traffic rules and regulation and before you can ply our roads, you must have your vehicles registered with the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency. Your registered vehicles must have the state’s approved colour, which is yellow,” he said.
According to Toriola, henceforth, commercial bus operators were expected to carry first aid box inside their vehicles, adding that commercial vehicles with other states’ number plate would not be allowed to operate in Lagos for security purposes.
He stated that all commercial bus drivers in Lagos must be recertified by the Lagos State Drivers Institute to ascertain their competency, saying without this, they would not be allowed to operate in the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Matters, Muslim Folami said the new traffic law was too critical and urged Lagosians to embrace it as it was to their own good.