As part of moves to secure the state, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has commenced the seizure of unpainted commercial vehicles across the state.
The agency kick started the operation on Monday following the directive of the State Government.
This was made known by LASTMA’S General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, who spoke through the agency’s Director, Public Affairs Unit of the authority, Mr Toafik Adebayo.
According to the GM, the ban of the use of unpainted commercial vehicles in the state is in line with the laws and regulations guiding the operation of all commercial vehicle operators.
He advised all intra-state commercial bus operators to ensure that their vehicles were painted in the accepted colours; red or yellow with black stripes or be impounded by the government.
Oreagba explain further that the warning was to ensure that commercial bus operators, especially those on intra-state services complied with the existing law of Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
READ ALSO: EFCC accuses banks’ ICT staff of stealing customers’ money
He further stressed on the need to comply with the laws in order to restore sanity on the roads to protect the lives and property of Lagos residents.
The General Manager, who said all commercial operators should comply for their own good, emphasised that all minibuses known as ‘Danfo’, including ‘Korope’, should be painted in Yellow with Black stripes while mass transit buses with two doors were to be painted with approved Red Colour by operators.
Oreagba also noted that all buses that had been authorised to ply Victoria Island and its environs with an approved colour should be registered through the various established offices.
“Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been directed to impound any commercial bus not painted in the approved Lagos State colour of red or yellow with black stripes.
“Any vehicle impounded will not be released until the needful is done in accordance with the Law.
“All commercial buses must be duly registered with commercial number plates and hackney permits issued by the appropriate authority in Lagos.
“Also, all approved area shuttle buses must henceforth restrict their operations to their ‘approved’ areas of coverage as anyone caught outside their jurisdiction would be impounded and charged to court accordingly,” Oreagba said.
He also advised all intra-state commercial bus operators to desist from violating traffic rules like illegal parking, and loading or discharging of passengers at unapproved bus stops.
Oreagba stated that commercial operators should also desist from driving without seat belts, driving on kerbs/medians/walkways, BRT corridors, against traffic, illegal U-turns and obstructions, among others.