The Lagos State Government announced that it is beginning to release impounded vehicles to their owners without the payment of fines. This move comes as a result of the cash crunch that has hit the nation due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Naira redesign policy. The government has decided to wave the fine attached to such seizures in order to alleviate the financial burden on the people.
Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, confirmed this development on Tuesday, March 7, and stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had extended the palliative measures by ensuring that vehicles impounded for minor traffic offenses were returned to their owners with the fines waived. According to Oladeinde, this move is aimed at showing empathy towards the people and trying to understand the difficulties they have been facing due to the cash crunch period.
Oladeinde further stated that during the cash crunch period, the Lagos State Government had reduced public transport fare by 50%, including on BRTs and other Lagos state-funded public transport services like Lag Ride. The government has also opened up food banks in certain areas to provide palliatives to the people. However, he clarified that the waiver of fines for impounded vehicles only applies to minor traffic offenses and does not include major crimes committed.
The commissioner urged those who had committed offenses during the cash crunch period and could not pay the fines as a result of the shortage of cash to come and pick up their cars, which have now been released by the government without the payment of fines. He added that the government is hopeful that life would return back to normal soon, and thanked the people for their understanding and patience during the cash crunch period.
