THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Tuesday, expressed its readiness to partner with the Lagos State government on the implementation of new traffic law and actualisation of Dakar Declaration, as well as the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Road Safety, towards the reduction of road traffic accidents by 50 per cent in 2015.

Speaking during a visit to the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the FRSC sector commander, Nseobong Akpabio, expressed dismay over increasing rate of accident recorded on the nation’s highway, submitting that the corps would not only partner with the state government on the new traffic law, but would also work with it to implement the law 100 per cent.

He called on the government to expedite action on the construction of additional stations where drivers would be made to undergo test, adding that “the era of people sitting at home to get driver’s licence is gone. Once Lagos State gets it right, other states will follow suit.”

Earlier, Governor Fashola had stated that the new traffic law aimed to achieve compliance by Lagosians rather than arresting and sending anybody to jail.

He said the law was about the safety and benefit of the people of the state, adding that a jail sentence would be the extreme.

The governor restated the preparedness of the state to work with the FRSC within the provision of the law that defines the relationship, adding that “it is not acceptable by law for the FRSC to come within the territory of any state and manage traffic. That is the law of this country and not my opinion.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, faulted the new Lagos traffic law, especially the decision to hide the provisions from the public, making it difficult for analysis.

Describing the position of the government on the law as unacceptable, the state chapter of the party, in a statement made available by its spokesperson, Taofik Gani, called on the government to make available the copy of the provision.

“Yes, we have heard about a traffic law, but nobody can claim a copy of the whole provisions. Even reporters are relying only on the presentations made during the signing of the law. Now, there is controversy on the commencement date. While the commissioner for transportation says later, the Attorney-General says immediately,” the statement read.

The party said going by reports, fines to be imposed on offenders were exorbitant and was meant to raise the revenue target of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

“We are unequivocal in our belief that the state government is driven by desperation to increase its revenues. Lagosians should expect more of similar laws, because the new Attorney General was actually the special adviser on tax during Fashola’s first term,” the statement added.

Comments (6)

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FRSC SHOULD MIND THEIR BUSINESS
written by Tony Oghenegare, August 08, 2012

Lagos state should ask FRSC to mind their business and leave the state to do what is right in the state. FRSC ought to think and come with what Lagos state has done but they go about making money by introducing new number plates/drivers' lience and checking caution signs/fire extiguishers.So leave Lagos alone.

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You are jobless!
written by TheTruth, August 08, 2012

This rogue PDP people are jobless and clueless, only attacking everything against the ruling party just because they dont have anything to do or they dont think before they comment. Every Lagosian applaud the new traffic law except a party full of rogues, killers and corrupt minds. The people of Nigeria will flush your government at the centre out come 2015

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Mr.
written by Chris Damijo, August 08, 2012

Lagos and taxes. Tax everyone, even the dead. Let the government make the law available. It should publish the law in national and local newspapers in the 3 major Nigerian languages. That is the civilized thing to do. We are not operating a secret society government. Fines should be drastically reduced.

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Catching Okada People
written by Yomi Ogunjobi, August 08, 2012

I am still waiting to see the day no one will be on a bike in Lagos without a helmet on his head, even LASTMA officials.

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ACN. A derailed party
written by Okey, August 08, 2012

you do not keep on taxing people as if they pluck money from trees. Your so called traffic managers(LASTMA) are taking advantage of your obnoxious laws to enrich themselves. They do not control and manage traffic. All they do is hide and arrest traffic offenders to the point of even chasing them on top of Okada and disposessing them of their hard earned money. shameless people. The clueless agency can not even place bus stop signs in Ikoyi and Victoria island axis. This is deliberate so as to capitalize on swindling motorists of their money.
At the Eko Hotel roundabout there is traffic sign that says "No parking, waiting and stopping, why is it that LAGbusses are allowed to wait there and pick passengers whereas privately owned busses are not.what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. A bloody discriminatory government. By the grace of God you and your so called godfather would be flushed out of Lagos come 2015.

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