COMMISSIONER DR. FREDERIC OLADEINDE TO LAGOS MOTORISTS: TRAFFIC AGENCIES WILL REMAIN ON LAGOS ROADS UNTIL…
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde(m); Director of Vehicle Inspection Service, Engr. Akin George Fashola (6th left); Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos Command, Olusegun Ogungbemide (5th left); Commander of LASTMA, Oki Emmanuel (3rd left); MD/CEO, Lagos Computerized Vehicle Inspection Service, LACVIS, Prince Segun Obayendo (4th right) and others at the VIS Road Safety Stakeholders Meeting held at VIO Office, Ojodu, Lagos.
While some Lagosians have complained that there are many traffic agencies on the roads and highways, Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde have reiterated the importance of the agencies on Lagos roads.
He noted that the FRSC, LASTMA, VIO, Police will have to man the roads until there is an updated database of road users in Lagos. He gave this important pointer at the Road Safety Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) recently in Lagos covered by Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper.
While responding to questions posed by leaders and members of NURTW present at the stakeholders meeting, the Commissioner noted: ‘On the issue of camera, our agencies will still be on the road because we realize that you usually give us wrong addresses when we want to register your number plates. We have discovered many times that you don’t live in the address that you gave us.’
‘Until we have our database updated with the right information, we will continue to have our agencies on the road. But there is a measure. We will ensure that our agencies don’t inspect on roads without layby so as to avoid congestion.’
Dr. Oladeinde added: ‘We want to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles ply our roads. We are coming up with a proposal where it is no longer inspection first, testing later. As we inspect, we will test. We want to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are on our roads. We don’t want a situation where we will be arresting people. Your business is important to us. We want everyone to conduct their business in an amiable manner in Lagos.’
‘While we feel that you should know about some of the policies is so that we can give you time to respond. And if you feel that we are harsh, you can respond and we will incorporate that into the policy so that it becomes a win-win for yourselves and government.’
On the issue of underaged drivers who have been found driving articulated vehicles on Lagos roads, the Commissioner queried: ‘I will ask what are the criteria for joining NURTW? Are those people even members of the union? You need to play a critical role in helping us stop this activity.’
‘Lagos will remain the economic capital of Nigeria. This means that more people will come in. I appreciate the Union. We are not happy about what is happening on our roads. This is the reason why we are sitting down to see what we can change in Lagos state.’
‘We are doing everything to make the process of obtaining driver’s license faster. As at this moment, it is about two weeks. It is about 3 months before. For renewals, we will introduce technology to make it fast. I want to appreciate the Director of VIS for setting this up’, the Commissioner concluded.
