Stay off Lagos roads permanently, Ambode tells VIO, FRSC
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has reiterated that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) have been asked to stay off Lagos roads permanently.
He also admonished officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to stay on the fringes and highways, and not on the main streets of Lagos.
He made this declaration on Tuesday at Ojodu-Berger area of the state, where he commissioned pedestrian bridges, laybys and slip roads.
According to him, the move is to ensure smooth flow of traffic within the metropolis, stressing that, henceforth, the state would deploy the use of technology and other innovations to track vehicle registration and other traffic related matters.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to reiterate that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) have been asked to stay off our roads permanently. We also advice the Federal Road Safety Corps to stay on the fringes and highways and not on the main streets of Lagos. It has become evident that these agencies contribute to the traffic challenges on our roads. We will employ technology to track and monitor vehicle registration and MOT certifications.
“We will always ensure that promises made are promises kept. We will continue to rely on the support of all segments of the population for regular tax payments, obeying the rule of law and protection of public infrastructure. That is the only way we can progress and achieve our goal of being one of the world’s top centres for business, entertainment and leisure,” he said.
Regarding the project commissioning, Governor Ambode said he was glad that Lagos had lived up to its reputation as a land of possibilities, a centre of excellence and one which was on its way to becoming a truly global City-State.
He noted that at the inception of his administration in May 2015, the traffic situation at the Ojodu Berger axis was one of the challenges identified as requiring urgent attention. He said the decision to act was informed by the strategic importance of the axis being a major gateway into the state.
“What we set out to achieve with this project was to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the express, safeguard the lives of our people who had to run across the express and project the image of a truly global city to our visitors.
Today, we are delighted that we have not only succeeded in transforming the landscape of this axis but with the slip road, laybys and pedestrian bridge, we have given a new and pleasant experience to all entering and exiting our state.
“This project is the product of our innovative team of engineers, architects and town planners who have worked hard to create an innovative solution to tackle the challenges of this axis. I say a big thank you to the staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and the contractors – CCECC Nigeria Limited, for a job well done,” he said.
He said his government will not stop with the Ojodu Berger axis, stating that the development was an ongoing process, and that the government was working to create solutions to traffic congestion in every part of the state.
