Lagos Starts War Against Commercial Drivers, Conductors over Non-complied Documentation

The Lagos State Government has warned that it would begin to impound commercial vehicles and arrest drivers and conductors yet to register with it.

This is warning was contained in a statement signed on January 31, 2014, Friday, by Mr Sina Thorpe, Asst. Director (Press and Public Relations), Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.

The government had on November 1, 2013, directed commercial vehicle owners, drivers and conductors to carry out data documentation.

It announced that the deadline for the documentation would be December 31, 2013.

According to the statement, the registration is aimed at ensuring safety and security of Lagos residents in line with Regulation 41 of the Lagos Road Traffic Law, 2012.

“With effect from Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, we will commence full enforcement.

“The enforcement which ought to have commenced on Jan. 1, was postponed due to pleas from the leadership of the various transport workers’ unions.

“The state government has been magnanimous to have suspended the enforcement for 30 days.

“Anyone found not to have complied with the directive would be appropriately sanctioned,” it said.

The statement also noted that the delay in the documentation was hindering the take-off of the implementation of the other aspect of the policy – issuance of licence to registered commercial vehicle operators.

“The actual issuance of commercial vehicle operator’s licence, conductor’s and driver’s badges may commence before March, 2014.

“The accreditation processes still continue; we appeal to owners of commercial vehicles, drivers and conductors who are yet to register, to do so immediately, as government would enforce the law to the letter,” it added.

It urged passengers to cooperate with the government during the enforcement by not sympathising with the operators.

The drivers and conductors are to register in any of the five Lagos State Drivers’ Institutes in Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

(NAN) 
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