Traffic mayors hold workshop for Lagos drivers

• VIS, LACVIS tackle problems of haulage trucks
In a bid to complement government’s effort at curbing the menace of traffic in the metropolis, as well as reduce the number of avoidable road crashes, the Special Traffic Mayors (STM) Corps at the weekend held a one-day public enlightenment programme on road management for Lagos drivers.

Held at the Alaagba motor park in Iyana Ipaja, the event was aimed at exposing road users, stakeholders and members of the public to various dangers inherent in their behaviour on the road.

In his lecture on the ‘4 Es’ principles and approaches to road safety, Special Traffic Mayor (STM) Corps Commandant, Lagos, Othman Tajudeen, noted that engineering, enlightenment, enforcement and evaluation were compulsory measures that should be adopted by all road users to prevent accidents.

According to him, the Lagos traffic menace can be put to an end if stakeholders and road users can decide to obey traffic laws, especially disassociating themselves from taking one way, which he said, has taken several lives in recent times.

Divisional Police Officer in charge of Elere, CSP Emeodi Camillus, reassured of the police’s commitment to protect lives and property through constant public enlightenment and community partnerships, thereby urging citizens to cooperate with enforcement agencies for the good of all.

Meanwhile, to make Lagos roads safer and stem the incessant incidence of accidents on Lagos roads, the Directorate of the Vehicle Inspection Service( VIS) in conjunction with the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) held a strategic forum of the stakeholders in the transport( logistics and haulage) sector last Thursday in Gbagada.

The General Manager of LACVIS, Mr. Segun Ogunnaike, stated that the meeting became imperative in order to interact and inform all stakeholders about the government’s initiatives and plans to reduce carnage on the roads. While soliciting for the support of all stakeholders, he revealed that 10 vehicle inspection centres have been established across Lagos with the plan to increase the tally to 50 in the next three years.

In his address, the Director of Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) Engr. A.G. Toriola, noted that the Lagos State Government have stopped the manual inspection of vehicles and replaced with computerized vehicle inspections which is at par with international standards. He appealed to all stakeholders in the transport sector to partner with the Lagos State Government to reduce carnage on the roads.

The representative of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Ms Mosumola Samuel, emphasized that the road accidents will reduce if stakeholders in the transport sector comply with stipulated standards and requirements.