By 
Abiodun OBA
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday demonstrates practical enhancement of mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.
The governor unveiled 1,000 brand new saloons and sports utility vehicles, as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi scheme, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.
Speaking at the event at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme was part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.
He noted that the modern ride service is also part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.
Sanwo-Olu urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the State.
He said Lagos is already moving from the era of rickety vehicles for transportation to use of safe modern vehicles.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the scheme would create jobs, accelerate socio-economic growth and further put the state on the global map as the Centre of Excellence and a modern megacity committed to sustainable development.
Besides, he noted that the new taxi scheme is to further ensure seamless transportation system for teeming commuting populace in the state.
“The scheme is in fulfilment of our desire to give residents better transportation choices in line with multimodal transport systems which key to our THEMES Agenda.
“The modern ride service is one of the state government’s socio-economic intervention programmes, which will be professionally managed in line with global best practices,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor called on private organizations and individuals to join hands with it to increase the number of the vehicles for the scheme.
He disclosed that all the drivers that would be engage for the scheme would be given android phone loaded with various apps to facilitate effective operation.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that the vehicles are equipped with security cameras, connected to the control room of the state emergency management agency, LASEMA, to ensure prompt communication in case of emergencies during each ride.
Oladeinde revealed that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms
Cat: Police
Police debunk Customs’ claim lied on ownership of vehicle used to smuggle rice
Abiodun OBA
Controller of Ogun Customs command, Bamidele Makinde, parading the Hillux van allegedly owned by the Police used to smuggle rice
The police in Ogun has debunked the claim by the state Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that a vehicle belonging to it was used to smuggle foreign rice into the country is not true.
DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the public relations officer of Ogun Police Command said this while reacting to the parade of Hilux van with police number plate PF 10889 SPY allegedly arrested with 27 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice by the Customs in Ogun on Tuesday.
The Ogun Police Command spokesperson said the claim that the impounded vehicle belonged to the Police by Customs was false.
He also said the Customs should have contacted the police before reaching its conclusion of the vehicle, especially, since no police officer was arrested with the vehicle.
Oyeyemi said, “The attention of Ogun state police command has been drawn to a news item with the above caption circulating on social media and other media outfit. The news has to do with the press briefing done by the Nigeria Custom Ogun 1 area command on the 22nd of March 2022, while parading some impounded contraband at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
“During the said press briefing, a vehicle purportedly belonging to Nigeria Police Force, used for smuggling of 27 bags of rice and abandoned by the driver when accosted by Custom officers was paraded by the comptroller.
“The command wouldn’t have like to join issues with a sister agency, but in order to set the record straight, there is need to make the following clarifications.
“To start with, the number plate on the vehicle which is PF 10889 SPY is not a police number plate, as no police vehicle will be numbered in such manner.
“The Nigeria Custom Services which have unfettered access to the top echelon of the Police command would have contacted the command for details information about the vehicle before labelling it as Police vehicle in their press briefing, moreso that nobody was arrested with the said vehicle to give credence to their claim.
“The command hereby wishes to inform members of the public that the said vehicle is not a Police vehicle and the number plate on it is fake and the police has nothing to do with it.
It will be recalled that Controller of Ogun Area 1 Command of Customs, Bamidele Makinde, had told journalists that the driver of the alleged police Hillux van ran away when his vehicle was accosted by his officers.
“As it is, it will be communicated to Abuja. The NCS headquarters has the final say on what happens to it. If it is found to be a police vehicle, it is only Abuja that can release it to the police authorities,” he had claimed.
Comments