Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) has said the new traffic law signed into law by the state government is meant to assist residents and business owners in Lagos State spend less time travelling on roads and reduce the wastage of man hours in traffic gridlock.

Fashola, who was speaking while declaring open the 2012 National Convention of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, at the Police College Grounds, Ikeja, noted that the criticisms trailing the new law was unnecessary, adding that it is a distraction from the good intention of government, which is to ensure that businesses and the economy of the State enjoy rapid growth through the easy movement of people and goods at all times.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, added that to assist in making the law less cumbersome, the government had put in place a ‘traffic radio’ station, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to help commuters plan their journey and also sensitise road users throughout their travel time.

He added that the traffic radio as was sustained in developed cities of the world, provided citizens the avenue to express their feelings on the traffic situation, the activities of enforcement agents and also the state of the roads.

“We are visitors to other developed countries and we see how things are done and we deemed it fit to replicate such in our state, even as we dream of our mega city status, also, as a government we are responsible for all those who choose to live or do business in our state and we remain committed to this,” he declared.

Fashola enjoined the fellowship to educate members on the need to appreciate the intervention of government in all facets of the society by being responsible citizens and ensure they play their parts by prompt payment of taxes and compliance with all laws in the state.
Speaking also, the National President of the fellowship, Mr. Ifeanyi Odedo, had stated that the convention, which was the 70th of its kind, was holding in Lagos given the tremendous work the state government was doing to create an enabling environment for residents in the state.

The President noted that the fellowship appreciates the Fashola administration and assured that the group would continue to enjoin members to be law abiding citizens and cooperate with the government in its effort to create a better life for the people.

The convention which is scheduled to hold from August 15 to 18 was being attended by delegates from all over the country and different ministers of God are billed to speak at the event.