Lagos transport operators, commuters, charge to observe safety protocol- Frederic Oladeinde
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DR FREDERIC OLADEINDE, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORTATION, LAGOS STATE
Commercial transport operators in Lagos state have been reminded of their responsibility to be seen as cooperative in the fight to put an end to the spread of COVID-19 through their total compliance to the transport safety protocol against COVID-19 as enunciated by the state government through the ministry of transportation.
The Commissioner for transportation, Dr Frederic Oladehinde, gave the reminders in recent media chat where he urged all stakeholders in the transport sector including the Lagosians to adhere strictly to the guidelines and cooperate with the task teams that have been stationed at strategic points in the State so that the Pandemic will be promptly phased out.
Oladeinde stated that the public transport operators should strictly adhere to the directive of 60% loading capacity, and added that Monitoring Teams had been deployed to parks, garages, bus terminals, jetties and other public places in the State to ensure total compliance with the new Public transportation safety protocol.
The Commissioner announced that men of the Nigerian Police Force, ably assisted by Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA ) and the Vehicle Inspection Service( VIS) had been coordinating the enforcement to ensure maximum compliance.
He added that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was monitoring compliance at the State borders while the Lagos State Neighborhood Corps (LNSC) were stationed at garages to ensure passengers adhere strictly to the rule of social distancing, among others.
The Commissioner reiterated that the Yellow Commercial Buses popularly called ‘Danfo’ were not permitted to convey more than 8 passengers including the driver and conductor of the vehicle.
While the Lagos Bus Service Limited, LBSL and the Primero operators were mandated to convey only 21 passengers instead of 70. Tricycles operators were granted permission to carry only 2 passengers at the rear seats in line with the principle of 60% loading capacity at this period, he said.
The commissioner also said that the commercial motorcyclists’ operators popularly known as Okada, had been suspended for now because it was pretty difficult for them to maintain the social distancing aspect of the safety protocol.
Oladeinde also emphasised that the use of nose covers, sanitizers and regular handwashing at motor parks and garages by Drivers and Commuters alike was very compulsory and of utmost importance.
He enthused, “The BRT and Lagos Bus Service Limited have created a seating arrangement that favours social distancing rule while the BRT monitoring teams have been deployed by LAMATA to ensure compliance with the new regulations along BRT corridors. In the same vein, the Marine Monitoring teams are working with LASWA to ensure compliance on our waterways.” Oladeinde stated.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) were in agreement with the Safety guidelines enacted for the Transport Sector.
He made known that a Taskforce team had been established to monitor and ensure compliance by their members to further complement the efforts of the State Government in preventing the spread of the Corona Virus
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