The unruliness and the menacing antics of commercial bus drivers may soon come to an end if they agree to an offer made by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) to educate them on traffic rules.
This offer came during a parley between the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, and State Executives and Branch Heads of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) that took place in Agege on Saturday.
It is hoped that the move would reduce the high rate of disobedience to traffic laws in Lagos by commercial bus drivers.
The meeting between CSP Jejeloye and the union came as part of efforts to resolve the constant discord between commercial bus drivers and the agency’s operatives.
Jejeloye said, “If we are to eliminate friction between commercial bus drivers in Lagos State and the Enforcement Team of Lagos Taskforce, we must be ready to educate willing union members on what constitutes obstruction, driving against traffic and driving on BRT Lane.”
He said that the plan would include the involvement of other relevant government agencies.
The Taskforce has also created a team to monitor its operatives and those impersonating operatives of the agency to extort motorists and road users, he revealed.
CSP Jejeloye promised changes in the operations of the agency, assuring that all efforts would be worthwhile and in the best interest of Lagos State.
The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NUTRW), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, responded, appealing to his members to cooperate with the operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce.
Akinsanya urged them not to pick commuters at places that are not designated as bus stops, refrain from obstructing other vehicles, and avoid driving on BRT lanes or against traffic.
He also implored the branch leaders to put mechanisms in place to ensure that union members are educated and enlightened on traffic rules and regulations in the State, while being considerate to other roads users.
