Lagos bars drivers not certified by its LASDRI

LAGOS State Government has said that henceforth, professional drivers who are not certified by its Drivers’ Institute will be barred from operating in the state.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, noted at Lagos State Drivers Institute, LASDRI, Oshodi centre, that such drivers include commercial drivers operating intra routes; commercial drivers moving people from other states to the state; drivers in companies and those driving private persons among others.

Opeifa said that using uncertified drivers would attract penalties of between N50, 000 and N250, 000 fines or jail terms as prescribed by the state traffic law of 2008.

He said: “For four years, we have been campaigning and slowly enforcing the rule. We are now ready to enforce it seriously. We have spoken with transport unions, companies and other stakeholders on the need to comply with the new regulation.” He added that the law of the state stipulates that any professional driver who wants to ply roads in the state must be certified competent by the state driver’s institute.

Also commenting on the issue, Chief Executive Officer of LASDRI, Mr. Ayodeji Oyedokun, who also took journalist round the facilities of the institute in Oshodi, said there are five centres across the state: Epe, Badagry, Ikeja, Oshodi, Ikorodu and Lagos Island.

He explained that the institute offers “Mandatory, Rehabilitation and Instructors’ courses for new drivers, those who committed offences and those who would train others. He urged private vehicle owners to upgrade their driving skill and knowledge of roads by voluntarily enrolling for rehabilitation course.”

4rm: Vanguard