LAGOS TARGETS SAFETY ON ROADS

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola has expressed the commitment of Lagos State Government to ensure safety of commuters through  more effective monitoring of vehicles commuting on its roads that the State roads are safer.

The Commissioner made this known in Alausa, while briefing newsmen at the flag off of the Vehicle Inspection Service bi-annual Safety Week.  He said that the Theme for this year’s safety week with the theme“Unroadworthy (Rickety) Vehicles: Threat to Lives on our roads. Planned for between May 2^nd to May 8^th 2016.

He stated that the essence of the week is to generate awareness on the need to
ensure that vehicles are maintained and are roadworthy before use.

Stating that safety is the essence of Government, the Commissioner drew attention to the need to remove unroadworthy vehicles from the roads, especially as they create significant health challenges for citizens.

He noted that Government has improved the capacity of the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) to undertake its oversight function, through the creation of new zones, now 30, improve personnel and the computerization of Road Worthy Certificate.

Mobereola was of the view that the climate change effects are becoming more pronounced with demonstrated adverse consequence on the health of citizens which requires that reducing the contributions by rickety vehicles on the road is of prominent focus. He added that plans are afoot to continue the re-certification of drivers through the drivers’ institute as well as by expanding the work hours to ensure unroadworthy vehicles don’t ply the roads at night.

Describing the exercise planned for the week as all encompassing, the Commissioner said both private and commercial vehicles are to be targeted in the exercise adding to that the involvement of other agencies of Government will significantly affect results.

Government is determined to operate and regulate transportation to ensure safety adding that new initiatives have been promoted to ensure a public transportation system that will encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and use public transportation.

While urging Lagosians to embrace proper maintenance culture and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, he explained that daily routine checks, fixing defects immediately, preventive maintenance as well as adequate monitoring will go a long way in improving safety.

PR