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 the smooth discharge of their duties and responsibilities on Lagos roads.
The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, who made this charge today during the courtesy visit of the delegation of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Sector Command, encouraged members of the Corps to take advantage of the opportunity of relating with the leaders at the grassroots to reach out to the members of the communities. This, he explained, will help to change the perceptions of our people about their operations, thereby gaining full acceptance and engendering peaceful operations within the communities.
Dr. Wale Ahmed therefore implored the Corps to make use of the different meeting platforms put in place by the Ministry in reaching out to the communities. This, he said, includes Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meetings for Local Government Chairmen, Community Development Advisory Council Meetings, and Market Advisory Council Meetings for market leaders in the State, while noting that periodic sensitization of the public during such meetings would help to ensure adequate safety of lives and properties.
He added that cases of covering of number plates and indiscriminate blaring of sirens should be looked into as well as other serious traffic offences on Lagos roads.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Kikelomo Sanyaolu, thanked the delegation for the visit and explained the statutory responsibilities of the Ministry, cutting across broad issues and grassroots as major stakeholders in maintaining relative peace, order and good governance in the State, while assuring 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 June 11, 2020, applauded the Lagos State Government for a smooth rescue response. This, he said, was remarkable because Lagos is well-equipped for rescue operations and emergency management.
He, however, seeks 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, and collaboration with sister agencies of the state during rescue operations to prevent road accidents and other related emergencies.”
Ogungbemide stated that great synergy with the communities is needed to curb crashes and other road emergencies, abuse of number plates, threats to state security, among other offences. He noted that “crime starts and ends on the road. The FRSC owes it to the people of Lagos State to give accounts of who and what comes into the state”.
Present at the event were the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Prince Bayo Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser on Community Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Jimoh, amongst other management staff of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
