Some military officers on Thursday described the penalties attached to some sections of the new Lagos State Traffic Law as extreme.
The officers expressed their views at an enlightenment forum, organised for naval officers and men at the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos.
Some naval officers and ratings at the forum urged the Lagos State Government to review the law in conformity with the realities of life.
They pointed out that not many low-income earners could afford to pay the fines prescribed by the law.
Group Capt. O. A. Akinyele, of the Nigerian Air Force Logistics Command, said the law would create criminality and encourage corruption, particularly in a situation where offenders could not afford to pay fines.
Also, Lt.-Col. B.A. Oguntayo, of the Nigerian Army Special Investigation Board, Apapa, urged the government to allow others on essential duties to use the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane.
Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, said the forum was organised to educate naval personnel on the new traffic law to enable them to know the dangers of violation.
Ikioda, who was represented by Cdr. Henry Babalola, the command’s operation officer, said the Nigerian Navy was committed to its personnel obeying the law.
Ikioda said the command would register its staff buses for the use of BRT lane through the Naval Headquarters to reduce daily traffic problems in the city.
The forum was attended by Mr Adebayo Olusoji, the head of operation, Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Office, and Mr Nseobong Akpabio, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Lagos.
Earlier, Olusoji, had called on officers and ratings to respect the Traffic Law and be more disciplined on the roads to avoid embarrassments from traffic officials.
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Very much agreed, but not more extreme than the brutal beatings that innocent civilians have been at the painful end off. Would you agree Mr soldier?
ReplyDeleteXplain the essential duty for more clarificion.because work na work either u re a bloody civilian or military. I believe we are not in a war situation.
DeleteThis Fasola traffic law is unfair o, Fashola should reflect very deeply.
ReplyDeleteYou are going next year think of the poor
good job by Military High Command. Thanks for at least recognising that you are under authority jus as we bloody civilians
ReplyDeleteAdmiral Ikioda, you may have good intention but your boys will soon abuse the initiative. Let them keep to the law and show more discipline which your age mates exhibited while you guys were younger.
ReplyDeleteHere is my headache with the response from our military: if you are on a low income, do not commit a criminal offence. More than the fine, you may not even be able to afford a barrister to defend you in court.
ReplyDeleteWe are not in a war or emergency situation. So, it is complete nonsense to want to register military staff vehicles to use BRT lanes. I trust our able governor to tell them where to go.
What a surprise from our so call military comments,the military are known to be the role model of a nation when it come to obeying rules and law,but am disgusted about the comments made by the forces for exemptions,i trusted my able governor of lagos state to tell them off there no exemption no matter what you are.
ReplyDeleteTo be real,the penalties attached to the new law is truly extreme.
ReplyDelete