TheNewsGuru

Tag: Traffic

  • APC fumes over Adediran, Funke Akindele’s visit to victims of auctioned cars

    APC fumes over Adediran, Funke Akindele’s visit to victims of auctioned cars

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State on Sunday frowned at the visit by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Olajide Adediran, to traffic law breakers.

    The state government on Thursday auctioned 134 vehicles impounded for several traffic offences on the ground that their owners ran away and failed to turn up for “court process’’.

    The exercise generated a lot of reactions, especially on the social media after viral videos showed wailing vehicle owners who considered the auction as a harsh move.

    The PDP 2023 governorship candidate and his running mate, Ms Funke Akindele, subsequently visited owners of two of the vehicles in their homes to placate them.

    The candidate’s media aide, Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, stated on Saturday that Adediran and his running mate visited the homes of Mr Lateef Kolapo and Mr Osinachi Ndukwe, both drivers whose vehicles were auctioned.

    He stated that Adediran discovered during the visit that Ndukwe, who drove against traffic, was arrested and imprisoned for three months after his car was impounded.

    Adediran said during Ndukwe’s jail term, he lost his three-year-old daughter owing to lack of funds to cater to her health.

    The PDP candidate also said after the visit that Kolapo claimed that his vehicle was driven by his mechanic while he was ill and hospitalised.

    The media aide also stated that Adediran, who frowned at violation of traffic, sympathised with the victims over their losses.

    He assured them that if voted into office in 2023, such harsh punishment for violation of traffic rules would be reviewed.

    Reacting to the visit, APC’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo, described Adediran as being desperate and promoting lawlessness and playing politics with human lives.

    According to him, good governance only thrives where law and order prevails.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the recent characteristic charade of the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jide Adediran.

    “It’s saddening that the candidate and his deputy, Funke Akindele, have graduated from playing politics with human lives to blatantly encouraging the breakdown of law and order in our dear state.

    “The visit to citizens who paid the price for violating state traffic laws, compensating, inducing and encouraging them is an act that is totally unacceptable in any decent society.

    “The move amounts to turning compassion and charity on its head,’’ Oladejo stated.

    He described as pathetic Adediran’s interpretation that the loss of one of his hosts, whose child died recently, resulted from the taking away of the family’s means of livelihood.

    Oladejo stressed that in actual fact, people had lost their lives to accidents as a result of driving against traffic.

    “We are not surprised by the promotion of lawlessness by the opposition party as it remains consistent with their desperation as we count down to the next elections.

    “The PDP may wish to note that Lagos residents are not fooled by their constantly playing to the gallery because they have nothing to offer.

    “Our government has the political will and duty to uphold the state’s laws at all times without succumbing to needless blackmail in the name of irresponsible politicking,’’ Oladejo stressed.

  • JUST IN: Lagos Govt announces traffic diversion for Maryland/Mende underpass

    JUST IN: Lagos Govt announces traffic diversion for Maryland/Mende underpass

    The Lagos State Government has announced a traffic diversion for Maryland/Mende underpass and postponed the repairs of a section of the Lagos Bound Lane at the Iyana Era/Badagry Expressway scheduled for the 17th of September.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde made this known on Sunday.

    Dr Oladeinde disclosed that this is in continuation of the Opebi/Ojota Link Bridge construction.

    He disclosed that the Lagos State Government will divert traffic from the Maryland/Mende underpass from Tuesday 20th September 2022.

    According to a statement, alternative routes have been mapped out to ease movement during the reconstruction of the underpass

    Motorists were by the announcement advised to use the Ojota Interchange to connect Maryland and its environs.

    Oladeinde also urged motorists heading to the inner streets of the axis to make use of Mobolaji Bank Anthony to access Emmanuel, Aderibigbe Shitta and Adeoye Adeyemi Streets.

    “Those heading towards Mende and its environs can use Mende Street to link Ajose Street and connect Oki lane to continue their journey,” the statement reads.

    Lagos Govt postpones Iyana Era diversion

    Similarly, the Commissioner disclosed that the repairs of a section of the Lagos Bound Lane at the Iyana Era/Badagry Expressway scheduled for the 17th of September have been postponed till further notice due to unforeseen circumstances, adding that a new date will be communicated to the public.

    Commending motorists for their patience and cooperation, Oladeinde reaffirmed that personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will be deployed to the affected routes to minimise inconveniences.

    He, therefore, sought the cooperation of Lagosians on the several ongoing road constructions across the State, noting that the projects are aimed at ameliorating the traffic challenges in Lagos.

  • Motorists cautioned to drive with care on Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday

    Motorists cautioned to drive with care on Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday

    The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Forosola Oloyede has cautioned motorists to drive with care on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mrs Forosola gave the caution while appealing for patience toward a planned replacement of three expansion joints on the expressway to prevent accidents and damage to vehicles.

    Oloyede in a statement on Thursday disclosed that the contractors on the project, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc would on Saturday commence urgent repairs on three expansion joints on the Ibadan-bound lane of the Kara Bridge section of the highway.

    She said this was in furtherance of the ongoing reconstruction works along the Berger-OPIC axis of the highway.

    “The planned repair works would commence on Saturday, 3rd September 2022 and the general public is by this notice advised to drive with caution along this route during the period of the repair works,” she said.

    Oloyede said the Federal Ministry of Works was collaborating with relevant state and federal agencies toward creating adequate diversion points and effectively managing traffic during period of repairs.

    “While delays are expected on the outbound lane during this period, effective and efficient traffic management would be deployed to minimise delays and ensure a steady flow of traffic during this period,” she said.

    She appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules, avoid driving against traffic and maintain lane discipline around the construction zone to avert gridlock.

  • Why Lagosians should get free pass to heaven – El-Rufai

    Why Lagosians should get free pass to heaven – El-Rufai

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has shared the opinion of people residing in Lagos should be given a free pass to heaven due to traffic congestion in the commercial city.

    The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said this on Thursday while explaining the rationale for introducing the four-day working week in Kaduna.

    “When people rest more, they are more productive when they come on Monday. They do much more work. Most people are tired on Thursdays anyway; let’s be realistic,” he said during a ministerial briefing in Abuja.

    “I don’t know how people in Lagos survive. Every day, four hours in traffic for five days. I don’t know if Saturdays and Sundays are enough for them to rest.

    “That is why I feel that all those that have lived in Lagos for 20 years should just go straight to heaven because they have already lived in hell. Honestly, they have paid their dues so they should just be given free pass.”

    While explaining further about the benefits of the four-day working week, El-Rufai said: “The benefits are that people rest more; they have more family time; they have more leisure time and they spend more money. It is better for the economy”.

    On how the state government has implemented it, the governor said schools were the easiest. According to him, since schools initially had classes up to 12pm on Fridays – which is only four hours – one more hour was added to the other days of the week.

    “The health sector was the easiest because the health sector always operates a shift system — 36 hours a week. Where we have challenges is with the private sector because of over-time. Now, if you work on Fridays, it is extra pay because it is overtime,” El-Rufai said during the event organised by the presidential media team.

    “We have not imposed it on the private sector yet. We are discussing with them to have a transition period of two to three years, but certainly, in the public sector, we have resolved all the issues. We are drafting the regulations to gazette them.”

  • LASG to divert traffic at Iyana-Oba Interchange Bridge

    LASG to divert traffic at Iyana-Oba Interchange Bridge

    The Lagos State Government will be diverting traffic as it embarks on casting of the Iyana-Iba Interchange Bridge round deck on Saturday.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said the job would last for 24 hours.

    Oladeinde said the diversion was necessary to continue the ongoing construction of Lagos-Badagry Expressway, which had now attained an advanced stage.

    He said the state government was poised to complete the road works up to Okokomaiko as announced earlier.

    According to him, motorists on the service lane inbound Lagos will be diverted to NEPA Road, from Okokomaiko and Alaba Rogo axis.

    He noted that vehicles would be directed to access Olojo drive, connect Alaba International Market and Volkswagen Bus stop, inward Mile 2, then proceed with their journey.

    “Also, traffic on the service lane inbound Lagos, heading toward Volkswagen, Mile 2 and LASU axis will be diverted to the toll lane/LRMT Corridor to reconnect the Lagos bound lane by Volkswagen for their desired destinations.

    “Motorists inward Badagry and Iba will use the service lane from Baracks to LASU and Okokomaiko to continue their Journey.

    “The State Traffic Management Authority will be on ground to manage the traffic flow and minimise inconvenience,” Oladeinde said.

    The commissioner appealed to residents to cooperate as the current administration actualised the promise to improve the transport network within the state.

  • Rehabilitation: Lagos to divert traffic on Dopemu Road for 3 months

    Rehabilitation: Lagos to divert traffic on Dopemu Road for 3 months

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) says it will divert traffic on Dopemu Road in the Agege area of the state starting from 10 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 21, for three months.

    It said that the closure was to carry out rehabilitation and upgrade on the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this in a statement he issued to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

    Oladeinde explained that the repair works would be executed in three phases, adding that the first phase of the project would focus on the Ipaja road up to the Adealu Street junction, which would last three months.

    He stated that alternative routes had been mapped out by the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to ensure an effective control of vehicular movements along the axis, during the duration of the repairs.

    The commissioner advised motorists inbound Dopemu Bridge from the Iyana Ipaja/Alagba axis to go through Ipaja Road, to connect Oyewole Street into Seriki Street.

    He said the movement would link them to Kolawole and Adebambo Streets, to access Adealu Road, to their desired destination.

    “In the same vein, motorists heading toward Dopemu Bridge from Ipaja (Oke Koto) are to utilise Markaz Road to connect Awori Street and link Sarumi Alawo Street/Oniwaya and Surulere.

    “With this, they will continue their journey or alternately, go through Alfa Nla from Old Ipaja Road, to connect Oniwaya/Surulere axis to reach the Dopemu Bridge.

    “The alternative routes are in motorable conditions and will not pose any difficulty to motorists. We are also assuring that the LASTMA personnel will be at the diversion routes for efficient traffic management.

    “I must commend Lagosians for their perseverance through the myriad of constructions going on across the state,” Oladeinde said.

    He, however, called for support from the residents, while assuring them that their sacrifice would yield the desired outcome for the state’s multi-modal transportation system

  • Sanwo-Olu’s convoy catches Lagos traffic robbers in operation

    Sanwo-Olu’s convoy catches Lagos traffic robbers in operation

    The Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s convoy on Monday arrested a gang of suspected criminals, who specialised in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.

    This was made known in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Akosile.

    The statement reads, ”The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo Monday while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa.

    “Help, however, came for the motorist as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to drag him out of his vehicle.

    “The security personnel attached to the governor swooped on the suspects, retrieved the weapons from them and arrested the three of them.

    “Sanwo-Olu reiterated his stance that Lagos would be no hiding place to criminal acts.

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu stated after his security personnel arrested the three machete-wielding criminals that the exercise was a warning signal to other criminal elements and prospective traffic robbers in Lagos that there is no hiding place for criminality in Lagos State,” the statement added.

  • TRENDING: Nigerians raise N.5m for Lagos policeman assaulted by traffic offender

    TRENDING: Nigerians raise N.5m for Lagos policeman assaulted by traffic offender

    Nigerians on social media have raised about N500,000 to compensate an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sunday Erhator, for his professional conduct and restraint when assaulted by a traffic offender, Victor Ebhomenyen, in the Oniru area of Lagos State.

    Ebhomenyen, 33, had on Saturday assaulted the policeman at Four Point Hotel in the Oniru area and inflicted severe body injuries on him, according to Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi.

    According to reports, Ebhomenyen and an accomplice, Etinosa Obaywana, who is now at large, in viral videos were seen pushing Erhator and assaulting the policeman and his colleagues attached to the Rapid Response Squad of the state command.

    They had stopped a white Hyundai SUV, MUS 251 EH facing their convoy while going against traffic.

    “When the police stopped the vehicle, the occupants, one Victor Ebhomenye and Etinosa Obaywana, angrily came down, confronted and violently assaulted ASP Erhator Sunday, inflicting severe bodily injuries on him.

    “The officer, who was armed with his official Ak 47 riffle, displayed a high level of professionalism amidst fierce provocations by resisting the temptation to use his rifle.

    “The prime suspect, Victor, is in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti, for investigation and prosecution as and when due, while effort is ongoing to arrest his fleeing accomplice, Etinosa, who has been identified,” Adejobi said in a statement.

    The PPRO also added that the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office, Oshodi, according to the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

    The police spokesman in the state also said the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, commended the police personnel for their act of maturity, self-control, perseverance and professionalism and urged other police personnel in the command to emulate them.

    It was gathered that some Nigerians on social media have started a donation fund for the officer for maintaining calm in the face of assault.

    The donation was started on Sunday by a Facebook user, Ugo Egbujo. According to Egbujo, “Many of us have indicated interest in blessing that police officer. The idea is to support ethical policing. The idea is to encourage responsible policing. We will give ourselves 48hrs. No amount is too small. It’s a show of support.”

    Over N450,000 has been received in cash donation as of the time of filing this report.

    The donation is expected to end on Tuesday while the money is expected to be given to Erhator by Wednesday afternoon.

    Many have also commended the professional conduct of the officer. A Facebook user, Ope Ajomo, wrote, “Wow this is impressive. The officer kept his cool all through the provocation. This officer deserves an award. I must confess that I have never seen a calm policeman under this type of situation. This officer may one day be the IG of police. This is commendable.”

  • Lagos Govt gives update on Apapa gridlock

    Lagos Govt gives update on Apapa gridlock

    Lagos State Government has said the Apapa traffic gridlock has improved, just as it urged terminal operators to support the interventions put in place to end the traffic gridlock in Apapa and its environs.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka disclosed this during an operation review meeting with terminal operators at the Tin Can Island ports in Apapa.

    Fayinka, who also doubles as the Chairman, Traffic Management Enforcement Team, declared that the meeting is in continuation of efforts to enlist the support of all critical stakeholders in the Ports at Apapa to eliminate traffic gridlock which has the Terminal Operators playing a critical role.

    He noted that traffic in and out of Apapa and its environs has improved drastically, saying “If you come in through Eko Bridge, Ijora, Sifas or Iganmu, the road is free. The only problem we are having now is from Area B to the Port”.

    Speaking on the plan to bring Shippers to the round table so that they can be in sync with the transport initiative of the present administration, Fayinka said, “We have actually met with Shippers Council and they told us they are ready. We have agreed that the next meeting will be to engage the Shippers Council, the truckers, the terminal operators, Nigerian Ports Authority and every other stakeholder, so that they can all reveal their challenges”.

    “This is necessary because we will want the Shippers Council to be up and doing in the evacuation of empty containers. It is their responsibility to remove empty containers from blocking the roads”, he disclosed.

    The Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Mr. Adele Elijah, while charging terminal operators on the need to support the e-call up system, noted that the time of making excuses is over and everyone must cooperate with the State Government on Apapa traffic gridlock intervention.

    “The traffic situation has to be drastically reduced so that even your businesses can thrive. When the road is free, the turnover for you will be high. Traffic causes health, security, environmental and other societal problems. I am begging us, let us make this work”, the LG Chairman said.

    Also speaking at the event, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Sola Giwa, informed the terminal operators to automate their operations and sync up effectively with the ETO system designed to sequence and batch trucks coming into the ports.

    Giwa also revealed that Truckers have expressed frustrations at some of the actions of the Holding Bay operators, adding that 48 hours evacuation will be executed at Tincan just as it was done at Apapa Ports which was effective.

    In her response, Princess Vicky Hastrup, Chairman Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), stressed that the existence of Petroleum Tank Farms within Apapa area was the beginning of the traffic woes of the area. She asked the State Government to engage the Federal Government and relocate the Tank Farms as the State was sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

    However, the terminal operators promised the State Government that they will not constitute any form of encumbrance to the current intervention in place to end the traffic gridlock in Apapa and its environs.

    The Forum also advised Tincan Port Operators to inform the authorities about members of staff and other officials indulging in sharp practices detrimental to the entire process.

  • Govt springs into action to ease traffic congestion in Lagos State

    Govt springs into action to ease traffic congestion in Lagos State

    The Lagos State Government has issued a 7-day removal notice to communities with unapproved street gates in the State, with a directive to either leave such gates open between 5 a.m and midnight or have them dismantled.

    This is in line with the State Government’s policy and regulations on traffic management geared towards improving the free flow of traffic across the metropolis.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who issued the notice on Friday, explained that the gates and structures installed without prior approval from the Ministry of Transportation contravene the provisions of the State Traffic Laws and Regulations and, therefore, must be removed within seven days of the given notice.

    Oladeinde stressed that the Ministry, in conjunction with Local Government and Community Affairs, has the regulatory authority on the installation of gates towards enhancing Traffic Management on the inner roads while protecting the lives and property of the affected communities.

    “During the recent inspection exercise conducted by the officials of the Ministry of Transportation, it was discovered that some communities have sited gates on some inner roads to avoid vehicular movement on their streets, and this unruly act has contributed to the heavy traffic congestion currently being experienced on our roads on daily basis”, he said.

    The Commissioner further announced that while it is expected that all street gates across the State be opened between 5 am to 12 midnight, the gates must be manned by security personnel engaged by the community or residents’ association and must be opened for emergency services such as police, ambulance and fire services at any time.

    He revealed that the Special Committee set up by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation on demolition of gated streets has begun enforcement exercise on the removal of gates in locations that failed to comply with the government’s directive on ‘Gated Streets’ regulation.

    Oladeinde, therefore, urged communities with Government approval for installation of gates on their streets to come forward with their documents for onward review and necessary approvals, failure of which the Special Committee would have to remove such street gates.