By Eberechi Obinagwam,
The Lagos State Government has charged members of the Federal Road Safety Corp to have a cordial relationship with Leaders at the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas, Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Community Development Associations and Markets across Lagos State, in a bid to aid smooth discharge of their duties and responsibilities on Lagos roads.
The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Wale Ahmed, made this charge during a courtesy visit of the delegation of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Sector Command.
The Commissioner who encouraged members of the Corps to take advantage of relating with the leaders at the grassroots to reach out to the members of the Communities explained that relating with the leaders at the grassroots will help to change the perceptions of our people about their operations that will enable them gain full acceptance and engender peaceful operation within the Communities.
To this end, he implored the Corps to make use of the different meeting platforms, put in place by the Ministry in reaching out to the Communities with the following platforms; Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting for Local Government Chairmen, Community Development Advisory Council Meetings and Market Advisory Council meetings for Market leaders in the State.
He noted that periodic sensitization of the public during such meetings would help to ensure adequate safety of lives and properties, while adding that cases of covering of number plates and indiscriminate blaring of sirens should be looked into as well as other serious traffic offence on Lagos roads.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Kikelomo Sanyaolu, in her welcome address, thanked the delegation for the visit and used the medium to explain the statutory responsibilities of the Ministry that is cut across broad issues and grassroots as major stakeholders in maintaining of relative peace, order and good governance in the State.
She assured the team of the Ministry’s collaboration in achieving smooth and cordial operation of the FRSC on Lagos Roads.
Earlier, the FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, Olusegun Adeola Ogungbemide who took over in Lagos on 11th June, 2020 applauded the Lagos State Government for smooth rescue response, describing it as remarkable; ” this is remarkable as Lagos is well equipped in area of rescue operations and emergency management,” he described.
He however seek for more cooperation from the grassroots to establish more Station Offices across the 20 Local Government Areas.
According to him “this is necessary for database collation, Public enlightenment, collaboration with sister Agencies of the State during rescue operations to prevent road accidents and other related emergencies”.
He stated that great synergy with the Communities is needed to curb crashes and other road emergencies, abuse of number plates; a threat to State security, among other offences. “crime starts and end on the road, The FRSC owes it to give accounts of people and what comes into Lagos State,” He stated.
Present at the event were the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, Special Adviser on Community Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Jimoh amongst other management staff of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
