The Lagos State Government on Tuesday warned commercial motorcyclists still plying restricted highways across the state to stay away from such routes, saying that erring operators would be made to face the law.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy ,Mr Steve Ayorinde, gave the warning while speaking at a Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Lagos.
Ayorinde reminded operators that the law restricting their operations on 435 routes in the state was still in force and warned them against infractions of the law in their own interest and that of other residents.
The commissioner said the government was deploying appropriate technology to track erring operators for prosecution.
“Our position for now remains what it has always been. And that is that commercial motorcyclists are restricted on our highways and major streets totalling 435 roads out about 9,000 roads.
“So by law, by the state Traffic Law of 2012, commercial motorcycles are still restricted. The law is still in force and erring commercial motorcyclists are still being arrested and their motorcycles impounded.
“The approach being employed by the present administration is to use technology to enforce the law. Vehicles obstructing traffic are now being dealt with using technology by our Task force and traffic officials.
“What they do is to identify vehicles and motorcycles that have transgressed. They video record the transgressions before removing the number plate.
“They then put a sticker on the vehicle or motorcycle to say that you have violated the law and that you have been invited to Alausa.“
“So our approach may have changed, but we will definitely deal with anybody caught violating our traffic laws, especially motorcyclists, ” he said.
On the traffic situation in some parts of the state, especially in the Lekki/Ajah axis, Ayorinde said the government was taking measures to ease traffic in the affected parts.
He explained the infux of no fewer than 15million people into the state from other states. In the last 18months, it had worsened traffic in some areas.
Ayorinde, however, said Gov.Akinwunmi Ambode had approved the employment of more personnel for the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency(LASTMA), to respond to the situation.
The commissioner added that government was at present constructing two flyovers in Lekki and Abule-Egba areas, to tackle particular traffic challenges in the affected areas.
“We are taking appropriate steps to improve the traffic situation in all parts of the state. We are constructing two flyovers in Lekki and Abule-Egba areas and by the time we are through with the projects, those living around that axis will witness improved flow of traffic,” he said.
The commissioner said some measures taken around the Third-Mainland Bridge had ensured better flow of traffic on the bridge in the last six weeks.
He urged motorists to abide by laid-down rules while driving, saying non-compliance with the law was a major cause of gridlock,“ he said. (NAN)