Fashola Charges Lagosians On New Traffic Law

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, appealed to residents to endure the inconveniences caused them by the implementation of the new traffic law.

Fashola made the appeal while speaking at the 2012 edition of the Lagos State Community Day Celebration held at the Police College, Ikeja.

He specifically mentioned the inconveniences the restriction of commercial motorcyclists might have caused them as a result of the implementation of the law.

The governor said the problems were characteristic of the introduction stage of every life-changing law and policy, and assured them that the law would be beneficial to residents in the long run.

Our correspondent reports that the Traffic Law, promulgated on August 2, prohibits the operations of commercial motorcycles on 475 routes across the state.

“There will be no gain without some pain. You should be ready to sacrifice if you want some reward.

“Every time we inconvenience you because we are constructing a road, or building drainages, within a short time you begin to drive on the road and see your environment flood free by the next rainfall.

“This is the kind of way in which we can work together, sharing responsibility. The idea that everything should be done by the leader is an idea that robs you of your responsibility.

“People who should ordinarily live fruitful and productive lives are in their graves today because of road accidents, especially caused by commercial motorcyclists.

“So the road traffic law is meant to keep you safe and alive.

“Okada will not be our transportation model in this state. Other states have banned it and heaven did not fall in those states. Our state will not be a dumping ground for motorcycles,” he said.

Fashola said that instead of banning them totally in the state, the government had only restricted their operations in 475 out of 9,000 roads, saying, “I think with that , we have been extremely generous“.

“What we want from residents is some sacrifice. When we were building BRT corridors a few years ago, people complain of some inconvenience, but now the BRT has been accepted by everybody.

“We seek understanding and sacrifice on this Okada restriction. It is for the safety of lives. It is for the state’s development,” the governor said.

Fashola said the government had concluded plans to expand the BRT system to most areas of the state to further give the transportation system a fillip.

He appealed to residents to support the government in its efforts to transform the state by complying with laws and pay their taxes promptly.