Lagos traffic law, not to make money – Fashola

…addresses NURTW members at Iyana-Ipaja motor park

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, CHIOMA OBINNA & MONSOR OLOWOOPEJO

LAGOS – Inspite of the downpour in Lagos yesterday, Governor Babatunde Fashola said that the success of the Lagos Road Traffic Law would be determined by the level of voluntary compliance, stressing that the objective of the law was not to fine violators and generate revenue for the state, but to ensure safety and order on the roads.

Fashola made the remarks while addressing traders and transport union workers as part of sensitization of the state government‘s “ Motor Park Safety and Health programme”, at Iyana Ipaja motor park.

He said criticisms that the law was promulgated to make money was baseless and untrue, stressing that the ultimate objective was the prosperity of the state and  residents.

The governor said: “Some people have said  we made this law  because we want to make money, but the question is how much money can we make from violators?

“How much money can we really make? This is not about politics. It is about your lives. How much fines can we get? The fines cannot fund the budget of the state.

“But your prosperity, your growth can develop the economy of Lagos in a much more fundamental way. That is the big picture that  we see.“

Fashola therefore,  urged residents, especially transport workers  to comply with the provisions of the law, saying the success of the legislation would be determined by voluntary compliance.

The governor also  counseled transport workers against consumption of alcohol and hard drugs before and while driving, saying this had significantly contributed  to the cases of  road accidents in the state.

He said the  state through traffic officials would begin  to administer breathalysers on drivers  to check the alcoholic content of their blood to ensure they were fit to convey passengers safely to different places.

“We have designed this safety and health programme for our transport workers because they are a critical stakeholders in our  transport  sector, and that’s why we are taking it to the motor parks and garages.

“This is the third park I have been to. I was at Ojota and Iddo motor parks, now I am at Iyana Ipaja and the journey continues,” the governor said.