Alhaji Mohammed Musa, the State Chairman of RTEAN, told NAN that his association received the news with happiness, promising that his members would continue to be law abiding and supportive.

Sanwo-Olu gave the directive while giving the State COVID-19 update and palliatives’ programmes of his administration on Tuesday.

The governor said he had directed the Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) to release all vehicles impounded for minor offences free of charge.

According to Sanwo-Olu said an order had been issued to the Police,  LASTMA and the VIO to release all impounded vehicles arrested for minor traffic offences from March 1, 2020 to date.

He said that this directive took effect following the end of the initial lockdown.

The governor said that the exercise billed to start after the lockdown, was aimed at reducing the financial burden of the offenders, following the stay-at-home order, to curb further spread of COVID-19 in the state.

He said that the gesture would not be extended to vehicles with capital offences.

Musa said that such magnanimity would put foods on the table of many after the lockdown, which he said had affected many of his members who depended on daily income.

“We are happy with Mr Governor for being compassionate. To have, even thought of releasing those vehicles in this hard period, is wonderful and we are very happy”.

“To have allowed the offenders to come and carry those vehicles without paying any fine to the state purse in this hard time, we really appreciate him and we are happy for that,” he said.

The RTEAN leader also commended Sanwo-Olu for restrategising and reviewing the method of getting his economic stimulus packages across to the vulnerable and the poor in the state.

Musa expressed hope that the new methods of one meal a day for 100, 000 youths, through the community food kitchen programme, as well as engagement of associations in the distribution of the palliatives, would benefit members of the union.

“We give kudos to the governor for applying another method in this palliatives’ distribution to the needy.

“It is a welcome development and we believe, this new method will reach the down trodden, even in our union.

“Though, he only mentioned associations as one of the platforms to get the palliatives across to the vulnerable, without mentioning transport unions, it is our belief that our union has been captured,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu had stated that palliatives would also be sent to religious bodies, political parties, higher institutions, ethnic groups, market associations, artisans, youths and women groups.

He also  said that the state would be providing a meal daily for youths through its food kitchen programme in various communities.