Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser, Sakirudeen Giwa, to appear over incessant recklessness on roads, one of which led to the death of two sweepers recently.
The mover of the motion, Hon. Temitope Adewale, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation, raised the issue under ‘Matters of Urgent Public Importance’.
According to Adewale, a press statement issued by officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, had explained the circumstances that led to the death of the sweepers.
While commiserating with the family, Hon. Aro Moshood appealed to motorists to be cautious and be more conscious of other roads users.
Hon. Yishawu Gbolahan, noted that this issue had reoccurred for a while adding that it is high time the methods of operation used by road sweepers were reviewed, either mechanically or otherwise.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, opined that there was need to install CCTV camera for LASTMA officials to ensure that those culpable are arrested through their number plates.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the incident was one too many.
He blamed LASTMA for responding poorly to the situation, adding: “LASTMA needs to do more and step up their game. There is need to review the transportation law and enforce sanctions where necessary so that those culpable will be penalized and serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Speaker reiterated that road sweepers should not be relieved of their duties in order not to create hardship for them and their dependents.
In a related development, the House called on Management of Parks and Garages and Transport Union Leaders to appear before it to explain the high rates charged by the unions from commercial drivers.
The lawmakers also called on the Drivers’ union to come and explain their grievances and the involvement of Local Government in the charges and alleged extortion by union workers.
In his remarks, Member representing Epe Constituency I, Hon. Tobun Abiodun noted that the fees collected by the union workers are illegal, adding that regulations should be put in place to manage their activities.