The Lagos State Taskforce has vowed to clamp down on commercial bus drivers disposed to parking illegally along the roads of the Lagos metropolis.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, declared the resolve to sanitise the roads of Lagos, warning perpetrators of illegal parking to desist.
Akerele issued the warning on Friday during an enforcement-for-compliance exercise he led at Adeniji-Adele and adjoining routes to rid the axis of traffic gridlock and criminal activities caused by illegal operators of bus parks and bus stops along that axis.
Akerele who said that the ‘go-slow’ phenomenon (traffic jam) ‘is not natural’, stated that activities of commercial motor operators along that route had been going on for too long therefore it was time to put an end to it.
The Taskforce Chairman described the activities of commercial bus drivers (Danfo) as worrisome due to long hours of traffic obstruction caused by their actions which has a devastating effect on motorists and Lagosians as a whole.
“Motorists do not have to spend longer travel time on this route due to the actions of a few. Occupying one or two lanes to create illegal bus parks is completely unacceptable and we are here to let these operators know that. If you want to pick up or drop off passengers, go to the designated bus parks,” a statement on Friday by the Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem made available to our correspondent quoted Akerele.
The Chairman further disclosed that the enforcement exercises carried out are going to be continuous and more intense and will be carried out across various parts of the State.
He described his planned actions as people-oriented, meant to ensure that Lagosians are not deprived of their right to proper utilisation of public amenities.
In a related development, the Lagos State Taskforce sanitized Awolowo Way and Ipodo Street close to Ikeja Under Bridge where the same practice of creating traffic bottle-necks through illegal Car Parks and Garages had been observed.
The operation recorded the removal of all vehicles parked illegally on the Highway and adjoining streets causing untold hardship.
Akerele said that 84 vehicles were confiscated during both operations and assured residents and commuters around the area that the days of commercial bus drivers dropping off and picking up passengers at unapproved locations are numbered.
“Go-slow is not natural, not created by God. It is caused by the activities of a few recalcitrant drivers. The obstruction being experienced during the rush hours results in spillovers being extended to the Third Mainland Bridge and Kodesoh Street respectively, thereby making those areas impassable to motorists,” he said.
Operators of kiosks and make-shift stores on the kerbs and walkways on Adeniji Adele were also not spared as the officials of the Agency cleared the structures erected on the walkway meant for pedestrians.
Traders selling on the Street at Ipodo were warned to move their goods off the Road or risk having them confiscated by the Agency.
The operation, the Agency said, was to restore sanity, while Akerele promised to maintain the decorum and serenity attained during the weeklong exercise.