Press Releases

Fashola Distributes New Set Of Uniforms To BRT Staff, Warns Against Violation Of BRT Laws

Sep 7, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) Sunday presented new uniforms to staff of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System with a warning that the State Government may be forced to consider tougher measures for car owners who violated the dedicated lane.

Fashola told a gathering of BRT staff as well as officials of both the State Government and the State Council of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Ojota Depot of the BRT, that if the violation of the lane continued, the State Government may be forced to remove the option of fine and send any guilty person to jail.

“BRT is no respecter of persons. We have started in an ordinary manner. Those who have cars should respect the rights of those who don’t have to also use the road, through the BRT buses. This is democracy. Anyone who violates BRT Law is not practicing democracy,” the Governor said.

He advised car owners who prefer to use the dedicated lanes to park their cars and use the BRT bus adding “Government may be compelled to consider removing the option of fine so that whoever violates the BRT Law will go straight to jail. We will fight anyone who disrupts this Service”.

He enjoined the BRT staff, especially the drivers, to maintain moderate speed on the road adding that the issue of safety must be taken very seriously as more and more people from all walks of life including foreigners were now using the bus.

According to the Governor, the distribution of new uniforms to the BRT staff was the fulfillment of a promise he made to the workers four weeks ago, adding,” I have kept my promise, you must keep yours. We spoke on over speeding; you have to improve on it. This is a bus service Lagosians and Nigerians are very proud of, it must be safe,” the Governor told the BRT pilots adding; “Once you take the steering, the lives of Lagosians are in your hands”.

The Governor said apart from creating more jobs, the service belonged to the staff and therefore they must take it seriously adding that they, as pioneers of the service, would only be regarded as having succeeded if they hand over the service successfully.

“We have done what we should do. We have removed those who have refused to keep their promise so that they do not spoil you. They will face prosecution,” the Governor said adding that a total of 1200 LAMATA- branded T-Shirts were produced in three sets for the appreciative Staff.

Earlier in his welcome remarks the Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola commended the Governor for his commitment to the success of BRT, recalling that Sunday’s visit was the second in the last four weeks.

The Managing Director, who also thanked Governor Fashola for keeping his promise of supplying new sets of uniform to the BRT staff, promised that the staff would reciprocate by cooperating with the State Government to lift the standard of the BRT Service.