The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Committee on Transportation will begin the inspection of major motor parks by in the state next week, to ensure their adherence to the COVID-19 public transportation guidelines.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Temitope Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye I, told newsmen in Lagos on Friday that the inspection would begin by Sept. 18.
Adewale said that the inspection by the committee was important to sensitise the transport unions, their members and passengers not to jettison safety protocols.
“By next week, we will be visiting all the bus parks as well as the transport unions’ headquarters in the state for talks.
“All the bus parks must have sanitiser and hand washing facilities for their members and the travelling public.
“Before passengers board the buses, they also must wear their face masks. There must be, most importantly, social distancing in buses,” he said.
Adewale said that the primary responsibility of the government remains security and the welfare of the people.
According to him, COVID-19 is real and it is important for people to be aware of happenings within their environments.
The lawmaker urged them to observe the precautionary measures stipulated in the guidelines as they affect public transportation.
He said: “It is also very important to keep to the COVID-19 precautionary rules and guidelines. There is now an increase in the patronage of our public transportation system.
“The guidelines are clear; once you go against the COVID-19 guidelines and you are caught, it will attract stipulated punishments.’’
Adewale advised commercial bus drivers and cab operators to stick to the number of passengers COVID-19 guidelines expected them to transport.
He said that the government had achieved a lot in reducing travel time by adding more high capacity buses to the existing ones under the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) arrangement.
The lawmaker noted that the government’s record of achievements include the improvement of road junctions and the recruitment of more personnel into the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
He commended the government’s effort in the development of the waterways and the rail system to provide an inter-modal transportation system for the people of the state.
