The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Motorcycle riders

  • Lagos to clamp down on ‘crazy’ automobile users

    The Lagos State government said it will restore sanity onto the roads by clamping down on motorists, tri-cyclists and motorcycle riders who make use of the highways without recourse to the state traffic laws.

    Speaking at an event organised by Africa’s mobile phone giant, itel Mobile, for Keke NAPEP riders at Ikeja at the weekend, the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Mr Chris Olakpe (rtd), said the elections are over and work has resumed full steam.

    He said the agency decided to slow down to allow for smooth conduct of the elections, adding that now that the elections are over, LASTMA and other law enforcement agencies connected with road transportation in the state will return to work.

    Read also: Lagos NIOB seeks inclusion in MDAs, others

    “We will begin serious enforcement; abuse of drugs too will be dealt with. LASTMA will work with the police and NDLEA to flush people selling drugs at motor parks out,” Olakpe said.

    Also speaking on the occasion, General Manager, Transsion Holding, Chidi Okonkwo, Transsion said the firm decided to use Keke Napep riders as launch pad to kick-start safe driving campaign.

    He said the initiative was in keeping with the firm’s drive to prioritise its community’s needs under the CSR initiative: Love Always On, and reduce problem that has resulted from misuse of mobile technology.

    He lamented that mobile phone use while driving in Nigeria was on the increase, warning that the practice exposes driver four times to risk of accident. “When there is a crash, the life of passengers and drivers are at risk.

  • Save us from RTEAN leaders, motorcycle riders beg Ambode

    Save us from RTEAN leaders, motorcycle riders beg Ambode

    Leaders of Lagos State chapter of Anacowa Motorcycle Employees Association (AMEA) have urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and security agencies to save their jobs.

    Members of the association, an affiliate of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), complained of extortions and unwarranted attacks  by leaders of the state chapter of RTEAN.

    The chairman of the Ikorodu zone of the assocaition, Musiliu Adejuwon, urged  the governor to rescue his assocaition.

    “We are pleading with the governor to rescue us from these people,” he said.

    The leaders also accused the Chairman, Alhaji Musa Muhameed, of acts they said could cause a crisis in the state.

    AMEA said: “It is surprising that the chairman is trying to create a crisis in the state. He has changed the name of the association; he now calls it ‘Nageri Nakowa’. This is Yoruba land and this name is very strange to us. This action is a source of concern to all of us because it has the potential to cause serious trouble within our ranks.”

    Adejuwon, who decried the trend, said a member of the association recently died in Ikorodu when suspected thugs beat him up with cudgels and other dangerous weapons.

    “We are law-abiding citizens of Lagos State. We have always put the law first in all our activities and we have been contributing our quota to the development of the state for many years,” Adejuwon said.

  • Buhari: anti-graft battle’s enemies’ll face penalties

    Buhari: anti-graft battle’s enemies’ll face penalties

    President fetes less-privileged

    President Muhammadu Buhari last night warned that those planning to deter his administration from fighting corruption will face the consequences. He did not name such people.

    The President spoke at the Presidential Villa during the breaking of fast with some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taxi drivers, hair dressers, motorcycle riders, barbers, butchers, tailors, and junior workers of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “Whoever deters us from fighting corruption will suffer the consequences.”

    The President said that it was unfortunate that some members of the elite were self-centred and only cared for themselves as there was very little to show for the huge income got from sales of oil in the 16 years the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruled.

    Noting that they mismanaged what accrued to the country, he said that the past administrations could not fix power, rail, and provide drinking water for the populace, among other problems.

    He told the group that his administration was conscious of their needs and desire but that the government met very poor conditions.

    The prices of oil in the international market, he noted, fell from above $100 to $30 per barrel, which has adversely affected the economy.

    “I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.

    “Our intentions are good and honourable but I have to remind you of what we inherited from the previous administration.

    “Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care.

    “Tell your family that this government is concerned about your welfare and will work very hard to improve it.”

    The President took time to personally serve some of the physically-challanged Nigerians the type of food they wanted to eat during the dinner.

    Delivering the vote of thanks, a disabled, Musbahu Lawal Didi, praised the President for having the interest of disabled persons at heart.

    He also urged the President to set up a Commission for the disabled so that their interest can be further taken care of.

    Muslim and Christian prayers were offered by two IDPs  —Musa Abdullahi from Gwoza, Borno State and Joseph Jauro from Adamawa State.

    At the dinner were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

    The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate represented Senate President Bukola Saraki.

     

  • Change tyres after 80,000 km of use – FRSC

    Change tyres after 80,000 km of use – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has advised motorists to change their tyres after use for 80,000 kilometres and whether it has expired or not.

    The FRSC Unit Commander in Suleja, Niger, Assistant Corps Commander Olayinka Akande, gave the advice on Friday during “Operation Know Your Tyre” campaign in Suleja.

    He said the corps had identified tyre- related challenges as major factor in traffic accidents, adding that knowledge would reduce carnage on the roads.

    “Records of road traffic crashes in recent times showed that majority of fatal and serious crashes were the result of tyre bursts.

    “We target the various associations like the NURTW, NARTO, RTEAN, tyre dealers, vulcanisers and motorcycle riders to enlighten them on important features on tyres, expiry date and inflating tyres”, he said.

    Alhaji Diko Kassim, Chairman of Suleja Local Government Area, said the administration would set up a committee to address the various traffic obstructions in the town.

    “A committee will soon be set up to look at the traffic challenges in the town towards addressing them. It will include stakeholders in the transport sector.

    “The committee will proffer solution to decongest motor parks and provide sanity in traffic system”, he said.

    Mr Benjamin Omo, tyre seller, told NAN that the campaign was worthwhile because most sellers do not have the technical knowledge of tyres.

    “We just buy and sell tyres for business sake. The moment it’s new, we take it as good and fit. But this lecture has enlightened us a great deal to know the kind of tyre we sell,” he said.