TheNewsGuru

Tag: Traffic

  • APC Mega rally: Lagos records free flow of traffic despite Buhari’s presence

    APC Mega rally: Lagos records free flow of traffic despite Buhari’s presence

    The usual early morning traffic jam on major roads in Lagos was on Saturday absent as motorists and commuters moved freely from one part of the state to another.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is on a visit to the state to hold a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    With the free flow of traffic, a huge crowd had gathered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue of rally in Surulere as at 11.a.m., awaiting the arrival of the president.

    NAN reports that the Saturday rally had generated apprehension about heavy traffic following the announcement by the state government on Wednesday that it would close no fewer than 18 major routes including Ikorodu Road and Third Mainland Bridge.

    The state government, however, made a U-turn on Friday when it said the movements would no longer be restricted.

    NAN correspondent who monitored traffic on major roads reports there was free flow of traffic of people and vehicles as of 10am.

    On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the traffic was unusually free, as there were very few vehicles on the road.

    Commercial motorcyclists who make brisk business from the traffic around Cement and Mongoro bus stops recorded little patronage as there very few commuters.

    Around Ikeja along and Ile-zik which are traffic flash points on a normal day, motorists had smooth rides as traffic was light.

    The situation was the same up till Oshodi bus stop ,where commercial activities were low at the popular Arena Market and Oshodi main market.

    On Agege motor road, from Mushin through Idi-Oro and Ojuelegba ,commercial buses waited at bus stops to pick the few customers they could manage to get.

    Also on Ikorodu road, driving was exciting as traffic was very light from Onipanu, Palmgrove and Obanikoro and other areas.

    However, the was a bit of traffic jam around Stadium bus stop, by Teslim Balogun Stadium as party faithful and residents were seen in many buses arriving at the rally venue.

    NAN reports that security was tight at the venue of the rally as they were so many security personnel strategically stationed, screening people.

    Hundreds of policemen and soldiers were seen moving around the stadium to ensure security, while some were riding on horses, others were holding sniffer dogs.

    The stadium was almost filled to capacity as of 11am as thousands of party faithful in APC uniforms had arrived waiting for the arrival of the president.

    Traders were seen making brisk business from sale of brooms, APC branded caps, vests and flutes.

     

  • I once had sex in the traffic- Careema

    Years back in the Nigerian music industry, being a video vixen wasn’t considered a career. These days a lot of young Nigerian ladies are cashing out from doing what they love, dancing.

    They are beautiful, sexy, and probably endowed with enough skills to provide the audience with entertainment.

    Careema, a popular video vixen and body painting dancer has stated that she goes naked during the body painting.

     

    “This is what I enjoy, though some people wear thongs, they wear pants, I go totally nude. If I don’t tell you I am nude, you won’t know”, she said in a chat with Broadway TV.

    When asked the weirdest place, she has ever had sex, she said: “I once had sex in the traffic. The traffic wasn’t moving, we were just stationed there. The traffic was for over an hour. I think It was just the right moment, so why not?”.

    Speaking further, she noted that the major challenge she faces on her job are the negative comments.

    “The major challenge is people’s negative comments, It’s like people just wait for me to post my body painting pictures and they bombard me with negative comments”.

     

    Careema also said that guys send her pictures of their private parts

    “A lot of guys send me pictures of their private parts. I am on Instagram to make money not for these like that”, she said.

     

     

  • Osinbajo visits Lagos, orders 72-hour joint operation to clear Apapa traffic gridlock

    Osinbajo visits Lagos, orders 72-hour joint operation to clear Apapa traffic gridlock

    The Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday directed security agencies and relevant bodies to commence a 72-hour joint operation to restore order around Apapa and environs with a view to easing vehicular movement in that part of Lagos.

    Recall that trailers parked indiscriminately over a long stretch of the Apapa/Oshodi expressway have been causing massive traffic gridlock on the road for several days now.

    Osinbajo who made an unscheduled visit to the road to personally assess the situation also asked relevant government agencies to speed up decongestion of the Apapa ports.

    Involved in the 72 hour joint operation are the Police, Navy, Army, Air Force, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), LASEMA, Container truck drivers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NUPENG, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria are also joining in the operation.

    The vice president was flown in a Navy chopper, first to Tin Can Island park.

    He was accompanied by Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and senior Naval and Police officers.

    He walked close to the traffic to see the situation for himself and then proceeded to the Five Star Berth at the NPA where he met with relevant officials and security officers.

     

     

  • Emmanuel Macron visits Lagos; state announces traffic diversion

    Ahead of the historic visit of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron to Lagos, the State Government on Sunday announced that there would be traffic diversion and restricted movement.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the traffic diversion and restricted movement will hold from 12 noon to 12 midnight on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 around the Alausa, African Shrine/Agidingbi axis.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Salaam in a statement appealed for the understanding of residents, urging motorists to make use of alternative routes provided.

    “While we regret the inconvenience that this might cause the public, especially those who live and work in the area, we appeal that you kindly bear with us during this period and make use of the alternative routes provided,”, Salaam said.

    Macron is expected to be hosted by the State Government at the African Shrine on Tuesday.

     

  • Road construction: Comply with traffic directive, LASTMA urges motorists

    Road construction: Comply with traffic directive, LASTMA urges motorists

    …Warns against attack on officials, recommends five for dismissal

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday appealed to motorists plying routes where major construction works are ongoing to bear with the State Government and comply with traffic directive, saying concerted efforts have been put in place to deliver the projects on schedule.

    LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa who said this after monitoring flow of traffic along Lagos- Abeokuta and Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, said the road projects across the State were being implemented by the State Government to ultimately achieve free flow of traffic within the metropolis, and thereby boost economy and commerce.

    The State Government is currently working on major road projects including Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway, Oshodi- Apapa Expressway, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Agege – Pen Cinema, among other massive roads reconstruction across the State.

    Musa said necessary engineering research and traffic count have been done before the construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor on the Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway, just as he dispelled insinuation that the project would make the road to be smaller in length.

    “Let me appeal to motorists plying the routes where construction activities are ongoing to bear with us and comply with instruction by traffic personnel on the roads. The projects will ultimately contribute to free flow of traffic as well as boost economy and commerce.

    “Also, the construction of the BRT corridor along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway will not narrow the road size as being anticipated by some motorists, but it would rather enhance the road capacity to accommodate more vehicles and improve free flow of traffic at completion,” Musa said.

    Specifically, the LASTMA boss appealed to members of the public using roads under construction to exercise patience in the meantime, adding that the projects, upon completion, would make traffic congestion being experienced on the roads to become a thing of the past.

    While assuring that motorists and commuters would soon heave a sigh of relief, Musa urged them to continue to obey traffic rules and regulations and cooperate with the LASTMA officials who, according to him, are on the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

    He commended motorists for their patience and perseverance since the commencement of the projects, and appealed to them to bear with the government as the road construction works and diversions were designed to ensure the safety of motorists and free flow of traffic.

    “All the measures put in place to control traffic are in the interest of public and the State Government is doing its best to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated period,” he said.

    Besides, Musa condemned incessant attacks of traffic officials by motorists, especially commercial drivers, saying the officials were on the roads to ensure motorists and commuters get to their destinations without stress and discomfort.

    “It was disheartening, callous and barbaric seeing a LASTMA official, Olanrewaju Yusuf stabbed on duty at Onipanu last week Wednesday while performing a lawful duty, by a driver of commercial yellow bus with registration number EPE 714 XP for picking passengers at undesignated place and conductor hanging at the door.

    “I like to use this medium to call on motorists to always report erring officials to the agency and not adopt self help as anybody caught attacking officials of the agency would face full wrath of the law,” Musa said.

    Meanwhile, the agency said five traffic officials in the State have been recommended for dismissal for various forms of offenses ranging from extortion, harassment and violation of Lagos State Public Service Rules.

    In addition, 10 others were reprimanded, 14 recommended for demotion and 15 others were issued letters of warning, while three were exonerated after careful investigation.

    “The affected officers appeared in the month of April before the Personal Management Board (discipline) to defend and make presentation on various actions that bothered on indiscipline against them,” the agency said.

    It would be recalled that some traffic officials of the agency were intercepted at various parts of the State for various actions that were not in tandem with the LASTMA operational manual and public service rules of the State Government.

  • Traffic: Army bans movement of trucks on Lagos bridges

    … Orders articulated vehicle owners to vacate bridges by Thursday

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday ordered drivers of articulated and other heavy-duty trucks to vacate the Carter Bridge and other overpasses in Lagos with effect from Thursday.

    There were claims that the bridges may buckle under the weight of the articulated trucks and these may have forced the army to swing into action and prevent a major disaster in the nation’s economic and commercial capital.

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) had last year warned that the gridlocks created by trucks on the bridges were dangerous and had damaging effects on the overpass.

    The movement of the trucks to the bridges followed the state government’s directive to owners and operators of articulated vehicles, trailers, and petroleum tankers to stay away from Apapa and its environs until it finds a lasting solution to the unending traffic bottleneck in the city.

  • Anambra, Delta Governments partner to ease traffic during Yuletide

    The Anambra Government and its Delta counterpart have strategized to ease traffic on both ends of Asaba and Onitsha during the Yuletide.

    Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra said this at the launching of the 2017 “Ember Month” awareness campaign in Onitsha on Tuesday.

    The theme for 2017 Operation Zero Tolerance campaign is: “Right To Life On the Highway Not Negotiable”.

    Flanked by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Obiano said the ultimate objective was to ensure that there was no casualty during the period.

    “Christmas is a time for merriment; we appeal and also warn road users to be careful with the way they drive.

    “I have provided 25 speed and alcohol detectors to be used on the road. Vehicles that are not road worthy will be impounded.

    “I want to emphasise that the use of cell phone while driving will not be permitted. Avoid speeding, overloading, one-way driving and ensure you fasten your seat belts and pedestrian bridges where available,” he said.

    The governor also said 40 ambulances would be made available in all major junctions for unforeseen situations, while doctors would be placed on alert during the period.

    The corps marshal assured that all the 22 critical corridors of the nation’s road network would be effectively managed.

    He warned all tipper drivers to remove the extra planks used for overloading, noting that any driver arrested would be prosecuted and have his vehicles impounded.

    He commended Obiano for creating enabling environment for social and economic development as well as his support for the corps in the state.

    The FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS5, Mr Kehinde Adeleye, explained that the choice of Onitsha for the campaign launch was informed by its economic activities and strategic location along traffic corridors.

     

  • Lagos to add 6,000 spy police to traffic management

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, says that 6,000 spy police will be incorporated into traffic management in the state.

    Imohimi said this while addressing the spy police at the Police Training School, Ikeja, on Saturday.

    He noted that he wanted a state where members of the public would spend less time in traffic.

    He said that the spy police had not been optimally utilized as he intended to incorporate them into the integrated traffic management of the state to take care of the shortfall of manpower in the police.

    “The importance of the supernumerary police called ‘spy police’ is to take care of the shortfall of manpower in the police and also assist in security at private organisations.

    “I felt we are not using the spy police optimally. Yes they are doing well at their various organisations but at this trying time, they will be integrated into the traffic management structure of the state.

    “First of all, I intend to partner with you for integrated traffic control in the state.

    “Though, we have the police traffic officers and the state controlled traffic officers but you will agree with me that Lagos is expanding so there is need for more hands.

    “I want a state where we hardly have traffic issues and cases of people disobeying traffic laws.

    “I will rather use the spy trained by the police than allow quasi agents take over traffic management in the state, especially on weekends when there are activities.

    “I have directed that the 6,000 spy policemen be integrated into the traffic architecture because they cover the length and breadth of the state.” he said.

    The CP further enjoined members of the public to give the spy police the needed support in carrying out their duties.

  • Lagos Traffic: LASTMA employs 1,400 personnel to end gridlocks

    In a bid to curb traffic gridlocks on Lagos roads, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday said it has engaged over 1,400 new graduate traffic managers.

    The Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Chris Olakpe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the new officials were trained on effectiveness traffic management within Lagos metropolis.

    Olakpe said that various orientation and training programmes were undertaken for LASTMA officials on traffic control and management to ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

    “The trainings are ongoing to capture the old officials within the state to blend with the newly recruited graduates.

    “About 1,400 new officials were recently recruited and trained to bring improvement, discipline and curb gridlocks within the state.

    “We have about 4,250 LASTMA officials to ensure free flow of traffic on various routes in Lagos State,” he said.

    The LASTMA boss said that the officials were trained on protocol of arrest, surveillance and traffic management.

    Olapke added that there were various disciplinary departments at the agency to punish any official who is found wanting in the line of duty.

    “We have departments and sections that deal with discipline like provost marshal’s office, surveillance and monitoring unit and LASTMA complaint units.

    “All these sections are in position to deal with any official who disobey the rules and regulations of the authority,” he said.

    NAN reports that eight LASTMA officials were on Aug. 14 sacked for receiving bribes.

    The LASTMA chief executive said that the authority had been working assiduously to reduce gridlocks in Apapa and its environs.

    He said that the agency had established “Operation Keep Traffic Moving’’ to ease gridlocks in Apapa and other parts of the Lagos metropolis.

    “LASTMA has been assisting in the movement of traffic in Apapa by trying to streamline traffic; it has been doing its best to reduce the gridlocks being experienced in the area,” he said.

     

  • African Airlines record increase traffic, passengers in June – IATA

    African Airlines record increase traffic, passengers in June – IATA

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says African airlines recorded remarkable growth in traffic, capacity and load factor in June.

    A statement by IATA on Thursday disclosed that the airlines’ traffic soared by 9.9 per cent, capacity by 7.1 per cent, while load factor jumped to 64.3 per cent during the month.

    It explained that conditions in the region’s two largest economies had continued to diverge, with business confidence in Nigeria rising sharply in recent months as South Africa’s economy fell into recession.

    IATA also announced that the global passenger traffic data for June showed that demand measured in total revenue passenger km (RPKs) rose by 7.8 per cent compared to this period a year ago.

    According to the report, the rise was in line with the 7.7 per cent growth recorded in May, when all regions reported growth while June capacity available seat (ASKs) increased by 6.5 per cent.

    It added that the load factor rose by one percentage point to 81.9 per cent during the month.

    IATA’s Director General, Alexandre de Juniac, said the industry experienced a 12-year high in traffic growth of 7.9 per cent and 80.7 per cent load factor during the first half 2017.

    According to Juniac, a brighter economic picture and lower airfares are keeping demand for travel strong but as costs rise, this stimulus of lower fares is likely to fade.

    “Uncertainties such as Brexit need to be watched carefully but nonetheless, IATA still expect 2017 to see above-trend growth.

    “The demand for travel is strong and that, in turn, will make a positive contribution to the global economy and this growth will also further expose infrastructure deficiencies.

    “In every part of the world, airport and air navigation infrastructure is struggling to cope with demand and there are plenty of examples linking connectivity and economic prosperity.

    “But few governments have been able to deliver on the imperatives of sufficient capacity, quality aligned with user needs and affordability.

    “This year’s strong growth is a reminder that there is no time to lose,” he said.

     

     

    NAN