As the gradual ease of COVID-19 lockdown reached day three in Lagos, the State Government has reiterated the need for residents to comply with the safety guidelines issued for the transport sector as part of efforts to curb further spread of the Coronavirus disease.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who gave the advice while featuring on a Lagos Television programme ‘Lagos Today’, disclosed that the State government has deployed transportation safety guidelines towards the gradual ease of the lockdown imposed on residents and operators of public transport in the State.
He emphasised that public transport operators should adhere to the directive of 60% loading capacity, disclosing that Monitoring Teams have been deployed to parks, garages, bus terminals, jetties and other public places in the State to ensure total compliance with the new public transportation guidelines to ensure safety at this crucial period.
While explaining that men of the Nigeria Police, assisted by Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), will be coordinating the enforcement to ensure compliance, Oladeinde stated that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will monitor compliance at the State borders and the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) will be stationed at garages to ensure passengers adhere strictly to the rules of social distancing.
According to him, “The Yellow Commercial buses, popularly known as ‘Danfo’, are not permitted to convey more than eight people including the driver and conductor of the vehicle; LBSL and Primero operators have also been mandated to convey only 21 passengers instead of 70, while Tricycles are permitted to carry only two passengers at the rear seats in line with the 60% loading capacity at this period”.
“The BRT and Lagos Bus Service Limited have created a seating arrangement that favours social distancing rule, while the BRT monitoring teams have been deployed by LAMATA to ensure compliance with the new regulations along BRT corridors. In the same vein, the Marine Monitoring teams are working with LASWA to ensure compliance on our waterways”, he stated.
Reiterating that the use of Okada for commercial operations is suspended for now because it is difficult for riders to abide by the social distancing rule, the Commissioner reiterated that the use of nose covers, sanitisers and regular washing of hands by all commuters and drivers are compulsory at motor parks and garages.
Oladeinde further disclosed that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have agreed to adopt the safety guidelines introduced for the transport sector, just as a taskforce team has been created to monitor and ensure compliance by their members to further complement government efforts at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
He applauded stakeholders in the sector who have pledged their support to the State in its battle against further spread of the deadly virus and pledged government’s commitment to sustaining enforcement for the safety of residents as they comply with the laid down transport guidelines.
The Commissioner urged citizens to adhere strictly to the guidelines and cooperate with the task force teams that have been stationed at strategic points in the State to ensure compliance.
