Transportation has been described as a service sector that should not be ignored.
Hon. Moshood Oshun, Chairman Committee on Transportation of the Lagos State House of Assembly disclosed this at the One-day Stakeholders Forum on “A Bill for a Law to amend the Road Traffic Law CAP R 10 Vol.7 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003”. He said the sector is the main engine that propels the economy for efficient service delivery.
Hon. Oshun said the forum was organised to take inputs of stakeholders before the amendment was passed into law, explaining that the State would not impose any law on the citizenry without their consent.
He said the bill would be amended to provide for a competent authority to represent the State incase of a court matter, adding that Local Government traffic officials would be working directly under the supervision of the State Commissioner for Transportation.
The Transportation Committee Chairman further explained that the LG Bye Laws must not contravene the State Laws as well as the nation’s Constitution, adding that any transport policy introduced by the Commissioner must have the support of the State Governor.
Hon. Oshun said the new law is not taking any power from the third tier of government and it is not about revenue generation, citing example of a traffic offender fined by the Yaba Local Council Development Traffic Officials a sum of N5,000 who later took the LCDA to court and the LCDA was asked to pay a sum of N275,000 as damages while four related cases are pending in the court of law.
In a response on behalf of the Attorney-General of the State, Mr. Akeem Bello said amendment is made to empower the Commissioner for Transportation to respond properly when the need arises.
Mr. Bello said the idea is not abridging power of competent councils noting that it is an effective tool and a rapid response strategy to tackle traffic challenges in the State.
Some stakeholders from LGs and LCDAs said the Bye-Laws have ridiculed the duties of the traffic officers and their responsibilities have been transferred to some people employed by the LG public office holders through some consultants.
They said traffic sector is a complex issue as it affects all tiers of government and urged the State Government to allow LGs to implement their traffic laws.
After prolong deliberations, they agreed to act as directed by the State Commissioner for Transportation.
