Harmonization Of Traffic Laws Needed In Nigeria – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that there is need to harmonize traffic laws in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, so that Codes and penalties would be the same.
Lagos State Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje stated this at the Public Hearing on the Transport Reform Bill, 2017, held in Lagos, noting that such harmonization of traffic laws will ensure that traffic offences committed in Lagos and Kano will have the same penalty.
Also, some stakeholders expressed fears over a proposed plan to ban motor cycles and tricycle operations in the ongoing transportation reforms bill in the state.
Omeje, however, called for affirmative statement on the position of the proposed law on the ban of motorcycles and tricycles in the state.
Canvassing roles for specific roles for NURTW in the new proposed law, he said that the development would compound the problem of unemployment in the state.
According to him, the major mode of transport in Badagry, for instance, is motorcycles, as the roads are in deplorable state.
Prince Joseph Odusanya, Lagos state Chairman of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, who frowned against outright ban of tricycles, called for consideration on the proposed ban.
“If Okada is being banned, tricycles should be an alternative means of transportation. Let’s consider the hardship this might bring to the people and the economy of the state,’’ he said
Reviewing the bill, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said: “We arrived at this bill by looking through laws that have to do with the transport system in Lagos State. We overhaul all laws in the transport system in conformity with best global standard practices. We codify to ensure that there is no overlap in such a way as to bring friction and conflict.’’
On the proposed outright ban of motor cycles and tricycles in the state, Obasa, who was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, said that the House would do its best to satisfy the masses.
He said that the state road traffic laws and its provisions have been merged with MVAA and LASTMA.
