Abuja, Feb. 17, 2020 The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Nigeria (CILT) has called for the introduction of a road tax system to discourage the use of privately-owned vehicles on certain roads around Lagos State metropolis.
The Chairman, Young Professionals of the CILT, Mr Dennis Ujah, told the Daybreak in Abuja on Monday, that tax on privately owned vehicles would encourage use of public transport system in the state.
According to Ujah, inter modal means of public transportations such as use of rail, roads, and waterways among others should be encouraged in the state to ensure ease and effective movement.
He said the Lagos State Government could further enforce the ban discouraging use of privately owned cars by way of a tax system, especially during peak periods.
“For instance, the government can mark some roads as taxed road, meaning that if you drive a private car on this road, you will be taxed.
“This will discourage the use of private owned cars while encouraging the use of public transportation system,” he said.
Ujah expressed CILT’s support on the recent ban of motor cycles and tricycles in the state, saying it was long overdue.
Daybreak reports that the Lagos State government recently placed a ban on motor cycles popularly known as ”okada” and tricycles otherwise known as ‘’Keke Maruwa’’.
The ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles in the city took effect from Feb. 1 and prohibited drivers of those vehicles from using a number of major routes in the city.
He said, “There is little or nothing the Lagos state government can do differently.
“It is long overdue and is something the government should have done long ago as ‘’keke’’ and ‘’okada’’ deface the mega city, Lagos state.
“You will recall that while ‘’keke’’ and ‘’okada’’ were in operations, they were huge contributors to congestion on the road, menace of obstruction, accidents and crime at its peak.
“Their ban is a welcome development that must be sustained as it will aid the actualisation of a smart city, which Lagos is tending toward as well as reduce insecurity, accidents and even emissions to the atmosphere.”
Ujah suggested that the movement of passengers en mass during peak period in the designated areas should be regulated to help resolve the issues.
The chairman said that markets and other business malls’ operating hours could be adjusted to open 9a.m. and closed at 7p.m. to allow for systematic movements.
Ujah recalled that the inadequacy of transport means was the reason people took alternatives such as “Keke“ and ‘’Okadas’’.
He said an extended opening time would allow for the limited transport means such as the BRT to make return trips and just in time, convey the next set of users.
“This will mean extended peak periods, reduced down time and better utilisation of the buses and indeed other means.”
Daybreak reports that Young Professionals of CILT in Nigeria is the arm of the institute that grooms tomorrow’s leaders in the Logistics and Transportation Industry.
CILT on the other hand is the leading international body for logistics and transport world over.
