COVID 19: LASG Reiterates 60% Loading Capacity for Public Buses

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde has emphasised the need for public transportation vehicles to comply with the government’s directive on 60% loading capacity as required by the World Health Organisation’s social distancing order.

According to a statement, the Commissioner said the directive was part of the measures taken by the State Government to prevent a state-wide spread of COVID-19 in motor parks, garages and water jetties.

Oladeinde insisted that all BRT buses must not load beyond 60% capacity, for now, to ensure that commuters keep social distance and avoid contact, while commercial buses, popularly known as Danfo, are expected to reduce their loading capacity from 14 to 8 passengers per bus to avoid easy contact and spread of the deadly coronavirus.

He assured that the ‘Abandoned Vehicles and Parks Monitoring Committee’ will monitor operations of garages and parks while the Police will continue to enforce the laws on violators, warning that any driver that exceeds the regulated 60% loading capacity at this critical time would face the wrath of the law.

“In compliance with the social distancing order as a way of preventing easy contact with the deadly coronavirus, all transport operators are expected to sanitise their parks and garages regularly; they must ensure that passengers are not more than two per line on a bus, no standing in any bus is allowed, no matter how short the distance. Violators of these guidelines will face the law”, Oladeinde asserted.

Disclosing that the same directive has been issued to the Lagos State Water Ways Authority and all relevant stakeholders in the water transportation business, including boat operators, Oladeinde said that, henceforth, all boats and life jackets must be thoroughly disinfected before any trip.

The Commissioner added that all passengers embarking on boat and ferry trips are compulsorily required to wash their hands with soap and water at the jetty before and after every trip, noting that the use of temperature monitors by operators is also mandatory.

While assuring that the State Government is leaving no stone unturned to prevent the spread of deadly COVID-19 disease, Oladeinde urged the residents to cooperate with the government by adhering to the rules of engagement so as to jointly fight the dreadful virus to a standstill.

Also present at the press briefing were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu.

Meanwhile, the State Government has observed with dismay an upsurge in illegal activities that hamper the development of infrastructure along the waterfront in Lagos..

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, who disclosed this at Alausa, Ikeja, explained that such actions along the waterfront of the State result from the low level of activities following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commissioner noted that the illegal work has been issued a ‘STOP WORK ORDER’ for immediate compliance.

Abdullahi stated that the Compliance Team of the Ministry has since been mandated to monitor the State Waterfront, enforce and apply when necessary, appropriate sanctions according to the Laws guiding the State Waterfront Infrastructure Development.

He enjoined stakeholders to maintain compliance, adding that enforcement efforts would be sustained despite all odds, saying that “There will be life after COVID-19 and as such we will not allow the destruction of our environment and infrastructure”.

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