Tag Archives: Sola Giwa.

LASG REITERATES BAN ON COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLES IN RESTRICTED AREAS ~Ajasa-Info

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The Lagos State Government has reiterated that the ban on commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘okada’ in 10 Local Government Areas, (LGAs) and 15 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDAs) in the metropolis still persists.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa declared this at weekend while on tour of some restricted areas within the state, where large numbers of motorcyclists (okada riders) had resumed operations.

Reaffirming the State Government’s ban on okada in the Local Government Areas which include; Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa, as well as the Local Council Development Areas under them which are; Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba and Coker Aguda. With others at; Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo, the Transport Special Adviser urged both riders and passengers to keep off.

He implored the general public to comply as both the riders and passengers are both liable to 3 years in prison if apprehended and prosecuted, with their motorcycles impounded and crushed in the public view, in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.

While soliciting for support on government policies by all and sundry, the Special Adviser noted that despite the available existing interventions and viable alternatives provided for okada operators which were expected to cushion the effect of the ban on their livelihood, the recalcitrant riders have refused to take advantage of them.

Highlighting some of the viable alternatives made available for the operators by the State Government, Giwa stated that the; Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA); (vocational training), Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment; (internship programmes), Office of Civic Engagement, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) (Loan for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs), Lagos Economic Acceleration Programme “LEAP”) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Agric YES) are all trade support for the riders.

He also said the State Government’s First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE) and other sustainable modes of transportation were also part of interventions provided to minimize the inconveniences of the motoring public in executing their daily activities.

Giwa averred that the position of government on okada is very clear, stressing that there is no going back in order to consolidate on the achievements made so far in the decrease in accident and crime rates as well as the return of sanity to the communities within the State.

He added that the Security formations who have been partnering with the State Government including the Nigeria Police Force, the Army, Navy and Air force are still on ground to sustain enforcement on all the banned corridors, as well as the State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) and the Anti-Okada Squad.

Signed;

Hon. Sola Giwa,
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Lagos State.
27th March, 2023.

LASG MEETS JDWAN, STATE TRANSPORT UNIONS AS PARTIES EMBRACE DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES ~Ajasa-Info

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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation Hon. Sola Giwa has said the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) and the State Transport Unions have agreed to meet in the coming week to resolve the issue of alleged extortion and harassment leveled against the Union members by the Drivers with a view to resolve their differences and foster unity amongst transport workers in the State.

Speaking at the Ministry of Transportation’s conference room on Friday at Alausa Ikeja, Giwa stressed that the State Government will oversee the resolution process as it has done in the past in line with the White Paper on transport union activities of 2004, which recognizes the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

He further disclosed that the State Government is working with the law enforcement agencies to dislodge miscreants’ disguising as Union members on Lagos roads, advising JDWAN to officially write the Ministry of Transportation if the resolutions reached between the two parties are not satisfactory.

Earlier, the Chairman of the JDWAN, Akintade Abiodun, reiterated the issue of extortion and harassment as well as maltreatment by the transport unions noting that they had informed the Unions of their grievances but had received no positive feedback, adding that it was on the premise of these developments that they embarked on the strike action.

He therefore appealed to the State Government to uphold the unified N800 levy, caution errant law enforcement agencies and checkmate the excesses of the Transport Unions.

JDWAN agreed to call off the strike as all parties settled to meet in the coming week to address their differences amicably.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola as well as executive members of Park and Garages Committee and JDWAN attended the meeting.

LASG ADDRESSING DEMANDS OF JOINT DRIVERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (JDWAN) ~Ajasa-Info

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The Lagos State Government is looking into the demands of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN), with a view to finding permanent solutions to the issues raised by the Association.

The move becomes necessary following the planned seven-day job boycott by the drivers over alleged “harassment and extortion by motor parks and garages management”.

Sequel to the announcement by JDWAN to embark on a seven-day strike starting from 31st October, 2022, the Ministry of Transportation invited its leadership to a meeting on Friday 28th October, 2022, despite its non-affiliation to any of the transport unions known by the State Government, i.e NURTW and RTEAN.

Most of the union members at the meeting were from the Badagry axis and it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned till Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022 to have a larger house (the Unions inclusive) and resolve the matter amicably.

The outcome of the 2nd November, 2022 Meeting will be made known to the public.

The State Government urges drivers to continue their daily routine without fear of molestation and intimidation as security agencies have been directed to maintain law and order.

Those who are taking advantage of the situation to raise fares are warned to desist from doing so or face the consequences of their illegal actions.

CBD DISLODGES LAWLESS MOTORISTS, STREET TRADERS IN LAGOS ISLAND BUSINESS DISTRICT ~Ajasa-Info

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As part of efforts to ensure sanity within the Lagos Island Business District, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Sola Giwa, on Thursday, led officials to dislodge vehicle owners and street traders obstructing the free flow of traffic in the district.

Giwa, speaking during the operation, said the State government has run out of patience with street traders and motorists parking illegally and disturbing the free flow of vehicular movement along the axis, especially on Nnamdi Azikiwe, Idumota outward and inward, Idumagbo/Dosumu, Ereko, Martins, Alli Balogun, Akanni and Broad Streets.

In his words, “The exercise, which is a continuous one, is to restore sanity and glory of the business district and allow for the free flow of human and vehicular movement within the Business District”.

While warning vehicle owners parking illegally on the roads and streets traders to desist henceforth, the Senior Special Assistant, admonished shop owners extending their wares to walkways and drainage alignments to remove them immediately.