Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State to direct the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure that perpetrators of reckless killings, maiming of government officials on duty as well as excessive destruction of government property are duly prosecuted.
This is sequel to the motion moved by Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh, Deputy Majority Leader on the “Need to curb the incessant attacks on Government Officials and property in Lagos State”.
Hon. Jimoh, in his submission, noted with dismay the attack and setting ablaze of the Marine Beach Area Office of Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Thursday, 9th January, 2020 by some irate youths protesting the seizure of their motorcycles (Okada) by officials for non-payment of statutory levy.
He emphasised that the provision of Section 28 (1) (b) of the guidelines on Administrative Procedure for Local Governments, 2011 empowers the council to; make bye-laws for the improvement of revenue generation and matters related to the general development and growth of the Local Government/Local Council Development Area;
Explaining that Item 8 of the Schedule of the Local Government Levies (Approved Collection Law), Laws of Lagos State, 2015 Vol. 8 Ch. L91 empowers the Local Governments and Local Council Development Area to collect motor park levy (Including Motorcycles and Tri-cycles).
“The recalcitrant attitude of some Okada riders and other road users who flagrantly disobey traffic rules despite the repeated enlightenment campaign embarked upon by the Executive arm of the State Government cannot be ignored.”
“The attacks which have often led to maiming or death of government officials and wanton destruction of property, are not given enough attention; including the reckless attitude of law breakers which could cause breakdown of law and order in the state, thus the essence of government would have been defeated.” He said.
The House in its resolution called on the Governor to ensure that perpetrators of Apapa incident are brought to book while their prosecution given wide publicity to deter other members of the public that have such tendencies; and
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command was also urged to ensure adequate protection of government officials in line of duty, innocent citizens and government property in the State.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, therefore ruled that the Ministry of Information and Strategy should embark on campaign to restore sanity, law and order in the state.
