The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has concluded arrangements to enforce Traffic Laws on recalcitrant Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority’s (LAMATA) bus drivers across the State.
Mr Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of LASTMA, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the management staff of LAMATA to its Headquarters at Oshodi, Lagos.
He stated that the enforcement of Traffic Laws on reckless BRT bus operators became imperative following a series of complaints from members of the public on the recalcitrant attitude of some of the drivers, particularly at major intersections across the metropolis.
He said, “It would no longer be business as usual for some of the BRT drivers who on a regular basis violate traffic rules and regulations without regard thereby causing avoidable traffic obstructions on major roads across the State”
The General Manager emphasised that any LAMATA bus driver caught driving dangerously, one-way, willful obstructions, dropping passengers at undesignated bus/stops, or disobeying traffic officers/traffic lights would be dealt with in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
“LAMATA as a management must as a matter of urgency engage experts on transportation management to train and retrain their operators (drivers) in order to checkmate their excesses”, he said.
Oreagba also appealed to motorists both private and commercial bus drivers to always adhere strictly to all traffic rules and regulations.
Earlier, Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the Director of Corporate Communication, at LAMATA, called for a synergy between LAMATA and LASTMA in traffic management and enforcement.
He assured that LASTMA personnel would henceforth be invited during their quarterly ‘Village Meeting’ to educate and enlighten BRT bus drivers on the rudiments of traffic laws and signs.
According to him: “We are aware of the recklessness of some of these drivers and on a regular basis we sack and blacklist them to prevent them from being employed by another bus service company”.
Ojelabi, however, declared that any bus operators caught violating any of the traffic laws and regulations must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
In attendance at the meeting were LASTMA Comptrollers and management staff of LAMATA.