The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi has spoken strongly in favour of aggressive enforcement of traffic rules through diligent application of sanctions instead of engaging in an unending enlightenment programmes that could be taken for entertainment by traffic violators. Oyeyemi stated this while presenting a paper at the Traffic Management and Transportation Summit organised by the Lagos state government at the Civic Centre Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Oyeyemi in his presentation which was based on the theme of the summit, “Tackling current evolving and future traffic management needs of Lagos state,” described as a waste of time, any effort at creating public enlightenment on issues of obedience to traffic rules and regulations without commensurate aggressive enforcement through diligent application of sanctions, saying people could take monotonous enlightenment programmes for entertainment. He therefore called on relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations by motorists.
Oyeyemi further noted that as a nation with the largest road network in Africa and second largest in the South of Sahara, Nigeria’s federal road network carries about 70 percent of freights in the country, with Lagos harbouring the largest concentration of the freights. “The road transportation accounts for about 90 percent of national transport needs,” he stated.
According to him, human population in Lagos was 9,113,605 by 2006 National Census, but currently being estimated to be about 21 million, pointing out that with the vehicular population of about 2 million, Lagos remains the most economically attractive state in the country due to its location and enviable position for shipment and haulage services.
“Lagos is the destination of choice for many foreign visitors and investors,” he stated.
“This preference has translated to increased motorisation and business transactions which often impede on existing transportation infrastructure.” he further stated.
Speaking on the relative stability achieved in the rate of tanker crashes in the country following FRSC’s interventions after the first fatal crash that occurred on 31st May, 2015 in Anambra state, Oyeyemi stated that with the deployment of FRSC officials to the depots and tank farms across the country under the “safe to load” scheme, a total of 10,782 trucks have so far been checked, out of which 4,211 were found not to have met the minimum safety standards, adding that 3,472 of the drivers were found with expired driver’s licence.
The Corps Marshal commended the Lagos sate government for establishing 5 coordinated driver institutes in the state, describing the policy as exemplary, and called for its sustenance to accomplish the intended purpose. While applauding the state Governor, Akinwumi Ambode for his untiring efforts to resolve the perennial Lagos traffic, Oyeyemi assured the state of sustained collaboration of the FRSC in the collective determination to make the state attractive to investors and tourists through efficient traffic management.
On the way forward for the Lagos traffic snarl, Oyeyemi called for road user education, approval for the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) by the Federal Executive Council which he urges the state to immediately commence its implementation; exposure of traffic managers to modern traffic systems and best practice and the need for Lagos state traffic management authorities to collaborate with the FRSC to promote regular interfacing and independent review of policies.
“Lagos state government should increase the capacity of the current mass transit scheme, to serve as disincentive to private vehicle usage in the state,” he stated.
“The state should also empower traffic management/enforcement agencies to operate 24 hours and the state government should strengthen the enforcement collaboration of Lagos VIO, LASTMA and the FRSC.
“Lagos state is to create dedicated lanes for non-motorised transport and encourage the use of bicycles to cover short distances,” Oyeyemi submitted.
The Summit which was declared open by the Governor of Lagos state, Akiwunmi Ambode attracted paper presentations from different transport experts, academia and transport operators and drew participation from different stakeholders.