Lagos State Government has assured the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) of its cooperation and support in terms of database collection to enhance good security in the country, especially in the area of traffic.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat gave the assurance today while receiving on behalf of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Daudu Ali Biu who was on a courtesy visit to the Office of the Deputy Governor at the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to him, whatever support the corps needs they will get from the state because it is to save the lives of the citizens and make the road a safe place for drivers and passersby.
He stated that the corps members should educate Nigerians on driving rules, road signs, and testing, among others before getting their driver’s license, adding that “let there be a pamphlet that people can buy and read for them to know the road signs and the meaning when they see one because a lot of drivers don’t them this signs and there meaning. it will show your effort and all other things put together we will save lives and Nigerians”.
Speaking further, Dr. Hamzat stressed that a greater number of crushed vehicle accidents are caused by drunk drivers, which makes it more challenging to stop because a lot of drivers are not aware of the implications. He noted that the Federal Road Safety Corps should have a neutralizer that will be working with the Police and state traffic officials to ensure that drivers are well informed.
Citing examples of when some of the Lagos State officials went to some parks in the state to run tests on drivers who were already on the steering wheel, Hamzat stated that a lot of them did not pass the test because they did not know anything about the road, traffic rules nor the vehicle.
Furthermore, he said before getting a driver’s license in Lagos there is always an eye check to ensure that their sight is good and they can see clearly while driving, noting that “I have never seen a truck driver with glasses, those that mean all of them are seeing well and their eyesight is 20/20 which is not possible”.
Speaking earlier, Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Daudu Ali Biu expressed the corps’ appreciation to the Lagos State government for their tremendous cooperation.
He noted that they are in Lagos to meet with other stakeholders to discuss common issues and the way forward on the safety of Nigerian roads. He added that the relationship between the state and the Federal Road Safety Corps has gone a long way with the state’s cooperation with the corps policies and regulation of traffic.
Mashal Daudu listed the corps’ achievements as including the stationing of toying and operational vehicles along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and; the creation of new licensing centers, among others stating that “we want the progress we are making to be seen in the state, so that we can expand our cooperation for better control of traffic, especially on number plate and drivers license”.