A note of displeasure about the attitude of Lagosians in traffic has been sounded by the Lagos Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Olusegun Ogungbemide. He sounded this note at the Miss Security Nigeria 2021 Grand Finale which held last weekend in Lagos.
The Corps Commander stated: ‘In Nigeria, we have taken the issue of traffic incidents as an insignificant aspect of our lives. When you arrest someone, they will say ‘is it not just an ordinary traffic offence’. In the last 7 months, I have recorded more than 20,000 arrests in Lagos state alone.’
Inspite of this nonchalance, Olusegun Ogungbemide reacted ‘Every crime that you can mention starts and ends on the highway. Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has intercepted many drug dealers on the highway. What about child trafficking, kidnapping, they all happen on the highway.’
The Ember months are here and the FRSC Lagos Sector Commander pointed out that Lagosians have to be very careful.
‘As we enter the end of the year activities, I want to implore us that it is always good to pray but we must know that we have a role to play as individuals. We implore you that the road is patient for those who are willing to tread with patience. You can say that the roads are bad but I can tell you that the most accidents happen on good roads. Sagamu to Ibadan has had more crashes than Sagamu to Lagos where people spend hours due to ongoing construction. The fatality rate is high because of high speed.’
‘Decisions on the highway are not taking in minutes but in seconds. We must have strong attention and not be distracted. Please if you have to pick a call, look for a place to pack. Your life is more important than the call. We take the issue of advocacy and sensitizing members of the public as very serious’, Ogungbemide concluded.