By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government yesterday said it would soon begin enforcement of the regulation of the mile-to-mile taxi system and eliminate unregistered cab operators, otherwise known as “Kabu kabu” from the state.

This came as the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration planned a massive, multi-channel impact campaign in the print, electronic and online media, with a focus on communities in the state, as part of events marking the 50th anniversary of Lagos State and determination to consolidate on the achievements of the first year of his government.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, at a briefing, said the measure was aimed at ensuring safety and security of passengers.

According to him, an appropriate franchise system had been developed to ensure control and regulation within the sector.

Reiterating the commitment of the state government in sanitizing the system, Director of Public Transportation and Commuter Service, Mr. Olubunmi Odukoya, explained that the manner of taxi operations were contained in the Road Traffic law 2012 and subsequent regulation approved and released in January 2016.

Odukoya urged interested groups to obtain a franchise or join forces with any of the nine already existing franchisees, insisting that the regulation was in the overall interest of residents.

On Kabukabu, he explained that arrangements had been concluded to enforce the law to ensure registration of the operators thereby, creating a database of owners of such vehicles.

According to Odukoya, “For any group to operate under a franchisee, they must have a minimum of 50 vehicles, possess the adequate insurance facilities for vehicles and passengers alike and install safety gadgets in all its vehicles, which must not be older than 12 years at the time of registration. Those interested should seek cost implications and other requirements for franchising at the Ministry of Transportation.”

On Lagos @ 50 project, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan  said the government had gone into partnership with over 33 grassroots media organisations, including 21 print media, 10 electronic media and two online media.

He said: “This novel campaign is a strategic communications initiative inspired by need to give vent to Governor Ambode’s ideology of inclusive governance.”

It is the result of scientific segmentation of the media that recognizes the niche that community media occupies and drives messages meant for the people at the grassroots through them.”