25 Parties Back Lagos Govt On Traffic Law

Operating under the aegis of Conference of Nigerian Political parties, CNPP, 25 political associations have expressed their support for Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on the state Traffic Law recently signed and gazetted.

Under the law, driving  a vehicle or okada, jumping traffic light, driving and receiving calls attract a fine of N20,000 for first offenders while second offenders risks six months jail or N30,000 fine or both.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos Tuesday, Chairman of CNPP in Lagos State, Akinola Obadia said that while the parties will continue to criticize Fashola’s administration objectively, they commend for the new Traffic Law which they said would make Lagos catch up with the rest of the civilised world and arrest the chaotic driving culture in the state.

The CNPP said the Traffic Law will bring sanity and orderliness to the community. The parties linkened the Traffic Law to the tax law which many states are now emulating in order to bring dividends of democracy to their citizens.

According to Akinola, many Nigerians who had lived in Europe and America are aware that they paid a lot of taxes but the citizens over there are happy with their governments since they could see what their leaders use the proceeds of the taxes for.

He said the government should not close its eyes when drivers, commercial motorcyclists or pedestrians misuse the roads, urging government to enforce the law diligently.

“For God’s sake, how on earth do you overlook an okada rider, commercial driver and a car owner driving against the traffic,  jumping traffic light, answering calls while driving or the like?” Akinola fumed.

He called on responsible citizens to support the law and the media to educate the public on the need to obey the law for the safety and convenience of Lagosians.

The 25 political parties that are active in Lagos State were represented at the press conference.

—Moyo Fabiyi