VIO permanently banned from Lagos roads - Govenor Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday put
the uncertainty concerning the
absence of Vehicle Inspection
Officers (VIO) on Lagos roads to rest
once and for all, stating
categorically that he has asked
them to stay off the roads
permanently.
Governor Ambode, who said this at
the commissioning of Pedestrian
Bridges, Laybys and Slip Road at
Ojodu Berger, also urged the
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to
limit its operations to the fringes
and highways and stay clear from
the main streets of the State.
He said the decisions were in line
with his administration’s resolve to
ensure free flow of traffic across the
State, noting that their activities
were contributing to traffic
congestion on Lagos roads. The
Governor said,
¤
“Distinguished ladies
and gentlemen, let me use this
opportunity to reiterate that Vehicle
Inspection Officers (VIO) have been
asked to stay off our roads
permanently.
¤
“We also advice the Federal Road
Safety Corps to stay on the fringes
and highways and not on the main
streets of Lagos. It has become
evident that these agencies
contribute to the traffic challenges
on our roads.”
¤
He said as an alternative, the State
Government would employ
technology to track and monitor
vehicle registration and MOT
certifications and de-emphasise
impoundment of vehicles on the
roads. Speaking on the
interventions in Ojodu Berger,
Governor Ambode said his
administration at inception,
identified the axis as one of the
major traffic flashpoints that
required urgent attention, adding
that the decision was informed by
the strategic importance of this axis
being a major gateway into the
State.
¤
“What we set out to achieve with
this project was to ensure smooth
flow of traffic along the express,
safeguard the lives of our people
who had to run across the express
and project the image of a truly
global city to our visitors. Today, we
are delighted that we have not only
succeeded in transforming the
landscape of this axis but with the
slip road, lay bys and pedestrian
bridge, we have given a new and
pleasant experience to all entering
and exiting our State.
¤
“This project is the product of our
innovative team of engineers,
architects and town planners who
have worked hard to create an
innovative solution to tackle the
challenges of this axis. I say a big
thank you to the staff of the Lagos
State Ministry of Works and the
contractors – CCECC Nigeria Limited
for a job well done,” he said.
To improve on the project,
Governor Ambode said a food court
would be built where people can
relax before climbing the
pedestrian bridge, as well as an
interstate bus terminal within the
Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming
from outside Lagos to drop and
load passengers, while intercity
transportation system would move
commuters within the city. Besides,
the Governor assured that his
traffic interventions would not only
stop at the Ojodu Berger axis, but
would be an ongoing process to
create solutions to traffic
congestion in every part of the
State.
¤
“If your neighbourhood or
community is experiencing traffic
challenges, be rest assured that we
will soon be there. We will always
ensure that promises made are
promises kept. We will continue to
rely on the support of all segments
of the population for regular tax
payments, obeying the rule of law
and protection of public
infrastructure. That is the only way
we can progress and achieve our
goal of being one of the world’s top
centres for business, entertainment
and leisure,” he said.
While alluding to the fact that the
State has lived up to its reputation
as a land of possibilities, Governor
Ambode also expressed confidence
that the future prospects of the
State was promising and that the
journey of the next fifty years has
commenced on a very sound and
solid footing. Earlier, in his opening
remarks, the State’s Commissioner
for Waterfront Infrastructure
Development, Engr. Adebowale
Akinsanya said the project was
conceived by the State Government
as a response to the yearnings of
the people of Ojodu Berger
Community for an improved,
efficient and grid lock free road
network, as well as the need to
preserve the sanctity of life of
Lagosians who hitherto were
endangered by the need to cross
the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway.
Akinsanya, who is also overseeing
the Ministry of Works and
Infrastructure, gave the scope of
the project to include 98m
pedestrian bridges with
illumination, 150m length lay-bys
on both sides of the expressway,
500m length of retaining wall with
varying height from 3.5m to 7m and
two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys
on Ogunnusi road with public
convenience.
Other scope of the project included
650m slip road connecting traffic
outward the expressway to Omole/
Olowora Junction, 700m Ogunnusi/
Wakatiadura dual road from Kosoko
road junction to the expressway,
250m PWC Road to the expressway,
street lighting on all the roads and
multi-bay bus parks, signalization of
all junctions, pedestrian walkway
and drainage infrastructure, among
others.
•
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MAY 16, 2017
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