The Lagos State government yesterday said it will commence the registration of commercial vehicle operators, involving drivers and conductors as from Friday, November 1, 2013 as part of measures taken to implement the state Road Traffic Law 2012. It also urged all concerned motorists to register on time as the registration exercise will only last for 60 days.
The government was however silent over the enforcement date of the proposed uniform and badges for the drivers and bus conductors, a policy that was said to be part of the state traffic law. Other parts of the law yet to be implemented are the continuous sales of narcotics, alcohol and hard drugs at various motor parks across the state.
Almost 15 months after the Lagos Road Traffic bill was signed into law, reactions have continued to trail the non-enforcement of some provisions of the law.
But, briefing a crosssection of the leadership of the various transport unions in the state, Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, who disclosed this, also said that the exercise was aimed at improving the lives and property of the citizenry through the delivery quality transportation service in the state. He described the exercise as a continuation of the second phase of the enforcement of the law by the Ministry of Transportation.
He said: "This step has become necessary in order to regulate the operations of commercial passenger vehicles and public transportation operators for efficiency, safety and security as well as the sustainability of the implementation of a safe, efficient and reliable public transport system in line with the provisions of the Road Traffic Law 2012.
"This new system includes the reintroduction of Commuter Bus Routing Scheme, Commercial Passenger Vehicle Licensing, Corporate Outlook for Transport Operators (use of Uniforms and Badges) and the implementation of passenger insurance for all commercial passenger vehicles on Lagos State roads."