The Lagos State Government has ordered full enforcement against drivers who do not have the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) certification.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transport and Logistics, Hassan Adekoya, said this on the fourth day of the state’s Drivers’ Care Initiative on Thursday.

Mr Adekoya said that the government would also clamp down on drivers drinking while driving.

“As we wrap up this phase of the Drivers’ Care Initiative today, we want to appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, our visionary leader, for his care and love.

“All we want to achieve is safety of lives and preservation of government infrastructure.  That is why we brought this initiative to the drivers. Immediately after the sensitisation, there will be total enforcement. It is no longer allowed for one to drive in Lagos State while intoxicated.

“The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation will be clamping down on drivers involved in substance abuse, and also drivers that do not have LASDRI certification need to go to the institute to get it,” he said.

The General Manager of LASDRI, Afusat Tiamiyu, noted that the institute had been able to train 1,700 drivers out of the 2,000 directed by the governor for free training.

“Today is the last day, and I believe by the end of the day, we are going to get the number,” she said.

She expressed the optimism that the initiative would bring about a positive change in drivers’ attitudes and behaviours on Lagos roads, noting that public education remained critical to road safety.

“We have been able to tell them the dos and don’ts.What we brought to this programme is re-educating and re-training them to be better drivers, to be well-informed drivers who will be doing the right thing to make life safe for all citizens.”

The Drivers’ Care Initiative, which started on February 9, took place at the Lilypond Terminal at Apapa, Lekki Free Trade Zone parks, Obalende Park, and Iyana-Iba Park.

The programme featured free eye tests and corrective glasses for 10,000 truck and other commercial drivers.

There was also public sensitisation about the effect of substance abuse as well as an offer for a soft loan facility to acquire 2,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks.

The facility was offered to truck owners by the United Bank of Africa. 

(NAN)