The Lagos State Government on Tuesday reassured residents of the readiness of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to ensure the yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities across the metropolis. Briefing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa Secretariat, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said
The government was concerned about the menace which petrol tankers and other articulated vehicles have become on Lagos roads, as well as the incessant fire incidents and needless road traffic and accidents which have led to loss of lives and properties.
To this end, he said the state government has put
adequate measures in place to ensure that residents go about their activities
with much ease during the festive period including total enforcement of the
traffic and safety laws.
“It is not enough to have safety regulations, they
must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives,
properties and injuries”.
“As a government which cares about the safety of
lives and properties, nothing short of strict adherence to safety rules will be
acceptable, relevant provisions of the law will be applied against erring
individuals and organisations”, he said.
Oladejo said the provision of the Traffic Law 2012
which prohibits tankers from plying within the hours of 6am -9pm daily will be
totally enforced, warning that according to the law, defaulters risk a fine of
N50, 000 or six months imprisonment.
He said the law also specifies punitive measures
for persons who drive in a reckless manner without reasonable consideration for
others, driving above the speed limit on highway or driving unlatched
containerized vehicles.
The Commissioner also stressed the readiness of
the government to enforce the ban on the use of fireworks popularly known as “Biscoe and Banger” due to the potential
hazard of the device to the people and the environment.
He recalled the December 26, 2012 fire outbreak
caused by storage of fireworks in Lagos Island which led to loss of lives and
properties worth millions of naira.
He said the danger associated with the dropping of
cigarette tubs or fireworks indiscriminately, especially at this period of harmattan
pose a great challenge which could lead to fire outbreak.
Oladejo also urged residents to be vigilant
especially when in a large gathering such as religious programmes, carnivals,
clubs, event centres and restaurant, however
assuring that the state remains safe and secure for people living an doing
business in the state.
He appealed to religious bodies, cub owners and
event centres to work with the state government and security agencies to
monitor activities around them and report suspicious and unusual activities
during such gathering that may compromise security of lives and properties.
He said the state government will not also
hesitate to close down event centres, malls, casinos, cinemas, restaurants, hotels
and clubs who fail to comply with the standard practice of having more than one
exit.
“The State Government is coming out fully to
implement all these laws through our relevant government agencies and the
security operatives such as the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Traffic Management
Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Task Force on Environmental
and Special Offence, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Neighbourhood watch by assisting the government in apprehending defaulters of
these laws and be prosecuted accordingly”, he said.
Oladejo was joined at the briefing by the
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, General Manager
of LASTMA, Mr. Bashir Braimah, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Micheal Akindele, Chairman of Task Force on
Environmental Offences, Olubukola Abe, Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS),
Olatunji Disu, Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, among
others.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
DECEMBER 8, 2015
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