As the ember month comes in full swing to wind up the year 2022, road users have been urged to do everything necessary in keeping the road safe and secure during the festive period.
Aimed at enhancing road regulatory policies to reduce heavy traffic and also prevent casualties on the road, the Federal Road Safety Corps staged an awareness program at Sabo Park on the 26th of October 2022.
Themed ‘Avoid overspeeding, overloading and unsafe tyres to arrive alive’, the agency flagged off its ember month safety campaign, reminding motorists and commuters to stay careful on the road.
Playing host to HRM, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu kingdom, Ably represented by High Chief Awolesi Salu and Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Delegates from Ikorodu local government council, Delegates from LASTMA, Corps zonal commanding officer, commander Olusegun Ogungbamide, the Deputy corps commander, Lucas Oguntade, CSP Kunle Omisakin, DPO Sagamu road and Lt. Col. E.O Sholotan, commanding officer 174 battalion Nigeria Army Ikorodu, the program sounded the alarm on the need to adhere to safety policies.
Welcoming guests to the ember campaign event, deputy commander, Lucas Oguntade intimated everyone with the essence of the gathering, drawing attention from all to the present statistics of road usage and systems.
In all, he made it apparent that it takes cooperation from both road users and the agency to create a conducive road usage network which will aid a better configuration system for Lagos state in general.
Commander Olusegun Ogungbamide in his remarks cited that it is not how long an individual has been driving, but how careful they’re on the road that matters.
According to him, “You can display all your expertise here on earth alone, but it is not relevant in heaven, following the regulations of the federal road safety corps secures our road from accidents”.
He continued, “This year alone we’ve recorded 74 deaths in Lagos State, 230 injured due to accidents on the road. And am sure everyone saw the news of the tanker explosion at Shagamu that claimed 10 lives some days ago”.
“Indeed, Good road prevents accidents but bad road increases them, but one thing is certain, we’ve ascertained that 50% of the accident occurred at night”.
“Knowing fully well that the Lagos State government is working overtime to improve our road standards and networks, we must apply preventive measures on our own to avoid casualties” Commander Olusegun added.
Otunba Ayodele Elesho, speaking in the capacity of HRM, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu kingdom, cautioned road users that for everyone life that dies on the road, about four families are affected.
He explained, “While we’re urging commuters to drive with care, we also urge the road marshal to stay firm in discharging their rules and regulations”.
“If a vehicle must be road worthy then the road must be worthy of the vehicles”.
Otunba Elesho further stated that if 90 per cent of a road marshal’s job is to serve the people, then the agency must step up its game to aid better performance.
“Even now that the agencies can generate revenue it means they must upgrade their functions in strategic measures on regular basis”.
“While we’re looking at the improvement from the side of the agency, as road users, we must also adhere to the rules and regulations of the road marshals if we want to stay safe too” Otunba Elesho urges motorists and commuters in closing.
The high point of the program saw the presentation of two brand-new patrol vehicles to the corps in the Ikorodu division to enhance their functions.
Others in attendance include; Comrade Oladipupo Oluwole, Alhaji Shobote Gbenga, Mr Oseni Ramon, Williams Omolere, Olukofun Odunayo, Tiamiyu Aishat Bolanle and many more special guests.
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