Consultant, Corporate Communication LAMATA, KOLAWOLE OJELABI, in this interview, with BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA, outlines how not to run afoul of LAMATA law, among other issues.

What constitutes infringement on BRT lane? The BRT operation is guided by the BRT regulations, which prescribe what constitutes an infringement on the BRT lane. Except for franchised operators, for whose purpose and services the BRT lanes have been constructed, ambulances and fire service vehicles on emergency services, driving or propelling, whether mechanically or otherwise is hereby restricted to the service lanes.

What are the penalties? The penalties are listed under Traffic Offences and Penalties in the Part 3 of the Transport Sector Laws of Lagos State. What happens when the culprit is a first time offender and how do you determine that? A first offender would be arrested and charged to a mobile Court. An offender could waive his/her right to pay a fine as contained in Traffic Offences and Penalties in the Part 3 of the Transport Sector Laws of Lagos State. There are intersections, whereby a motorist needs to cross the BRT lane to a service lane or to somewhere else. Is this an infringement? Intersections are clearly marked with the yellow boxes. What this means is that at such intersections, on-coming BRT buses should be given priority. The intersection should not be blocked.

What happens to a visitor who is not conversant with LAMATA rules? A visitor is expected to be conversant with highway codes and other road signs. LAMATA does not have its own rules outside the highway codes. Motorists who have tasted your penalty say it is highhanded, autocratic and undemocratic. For instance, you charge N70,000 for the most minute of offences, like crossing the BRT lane at a time most states don’t pay minimum wage of N30,000. Are you a revenue yielding organisation or a service provider? We don’t understand what you described as the minutest of offences. The law must be respected. The phrasing of your question is somehow condescending. Whatever penalties being applied are listed in the Traffic Offences and Penalties in the Part 3 of the Transport Sector Laws of Lagos State. How much have you generated from offending motorists since January? The focus should not be on how much is generated but on compliance with the laws of the land.