The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the state’s Transport Sector Reform Bill, 2017.
The House passed the bill after it was read for the third time on the floor.
The proposed law is entitled: “A Bill for a Law to Consolidate all Laws Relating to the Transport Sector”, Provide for the Development and Management of a sustainable transport system in Lagos State and for other connected purposes.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who conducted a voice vote before passing the Bill, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to forward a clean copy to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.
The proposed law was borne out of the need to further strengthen the transport sector in the state.
The bill harmonises Vehicle Inspection Office (offences and penalties), Traffic Offences and Penalties and Lagos Bus Services Limited.
Others include Lagos State Ferry Services, Lagos State Traffic Sector Reform Law (Road Traffic) Regulations, and Lagos State Traffic Sector Reform Law (Taxi Operations) Regulations.
They are Agencies and Departments under The Ministry and Protocol for Traffic Law Enforcement.
According to the law, traffic offenders will either be made to pay fines or risk jail terms if found guilty.
Under the law, disobeying traffic light, smoking or drinking while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs would now attract serious penalties.
The Chairman of the seven-man Adhoc Committee on Transportation, Mr Fatai Mojeed, said that the harmonisation would prevent duplication and conflict of roles among various agencies involved in transport management.
He added that the new law would provide a seamless transportation system for the teeming population of the state and ultimately contributes to the socio-economic development of the state.
