By Cliffsimon Akalonu
Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has initiated special traffic control intervention initiative called Operation Orange, to help ease traffic congestion within the state.
Disclosing this at the second quarter retreat of the FRSC Zone 2 which held in Lagos on Thursday, the Sector Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide said the exercise is carried out every Monday and Friday.
According to him, the command deploy bikes, patrol vehicles and additional Marshals to trouble spots along the Lagos – Ibadan expressway and other busy corridors within the state, with the aim of assisting to improve commuters and motorists experience on the road as well as the Corps’ visibility and response to gridlock and crashes along the corridors.
Giving the comparative analysis of surveillance between first half of 2020/2021, Ogungbemide said: “A comparative analysis of the number of arrest of corrupt officials made between January to June, 2020 and the same period in 2021 shows that while only two were arrested in 2020, the figure of arrested in 2021 jumped to five.
The FRSC Lagos boss said his command embarked on “Operation Orange Impact” which is helpful in decongesting traffic gridlock in some identified areas, prone to traffic in the state.
“The command equally embarked on a joint enforcement operation with the Vehicle Inspection Services to clamp down on rickety vehicle and unlatched containers within the state and this effort has led to the drastic reduction of such vehicles plying the roads.
The enforcement of Number plate and Driver’s license violation was a huge success, this also led to the increase in collection of original driver’s license from the board of internal revenue.
He said stakeholders collaborations is also key and in line with the 2021 corps’ strategic goals, the Command has been sustaining stakeholders collaboration and this was evident in the donation of a patrol vehicle (JAC PICKUP) by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund on the 15th of April 2021, another patrol vehicle (NISSAN PICKUP) was also donated to the Command by Hon. James A Faleke a member of Federal House of Representative, representing Ikeja Constituency on the 28th May, 2021.
He further stated that a 2.5KVA generating set was donated to Ikotun Outpost by a Special Marshal Isolo Outpost, receipt of woods and roofing sheets to mend the leaking roof. Ikorodu, Iba, Lagos Island and Ojota were not left out as plastics chairs, tables white maker board, Gotv decoder and executives chair were donated to them respectively, the Sector Commander confirmed “.
Stressing on emerging issues and challenges facing some Commands in RS2.1 Lagos, Ogungbemide, mentioned Shortage of Operatives, patrol vehicles, computer systems to be used in the duty room as staff personal computers, Internet facility, Shortage of staff, Office Space needed in Ikorodu, Volitile environment (cultism and ritualists), bunkering activities and bad roads causing constant crashes in that axis.
He said in preparedness for the second half of 2021,The Command will enhance the Corps’ enforcement, preparedness and strategies as the command will organise a special intervention patrol tagged ‘operation keep safe during rainy season and operation herald in the remaining half of the year while sustaining the operation keep safe.
He also said the state will engage in intelligent daily patrol operation driven and enhanced by mobile technology which will be achieved by leveraging on the E-ticketing platform, verification of NDL/Road worthiness with the 3-D barcode, the use of askniid.com for insurance verification and E-recording of violation and arrest incidents.
Lagos sector Command will improve on smart –burst surveillance and enforcement with targeted offences (OLV,SLV,UPWD ,DUI) and deploys the use of breathalyzers’ once every month of the remaining half year, he assured”.
He said that the command will engage in RTSSS and Safe-to-Load monthly special patrol. We will also prepare and review patrol routes, mapping first week of every month.
“Clearing obstruction in the state within 2 hours on daily basis, Repositioning and sustaining road safety programmes, the command will organize RTSSS and DSSP stakeholders meeting, compliance inspection and enforcement”.
He promised that his command will continue to ensure adequate enlightenment of the public for instance safe driving campaigns, Traffic and safety update for National Traffic Radio at least 2 times per day; Engage in domesticated PE in churches, mosques, markets, organizations as well as town hall meetings, at least six times for the remaining months of the year.
“Sustain of early morning crying in motor parks, Continual RTSSS awareness visit to unregistered fleet operators, Prompt response to RTC, Daily deployment of the Command’s Ambulance, Hospital and Tow Trucks Directory to be kept inside patrol vehicles, Equip Ambulance with adequate rescue materials, Post Crash Hospital follow-ups, Expand scope of RTC investigation to 1 DT and training of more Crash Investigators, are all captured in our scope of operation for the remaining months of the year; Ogungbemide said”.
Closing his report, CC Olusengun Ogungbemidehe, urged FRSC Management to look into increasing allocation to Departments in various Commands formation as this will go a long way in resolving various teething issues.
“The use of radar guns and vehicles – inbuilt with speed-detecting devices to check excessive speed on our highways cannot be overemphasized. The current trend of Road Safety Management, calls for the FRSC to look into our personnel being Armed especially for Self Defense and Operational activities; and in line with section (19) of the FRSC establishment act 2007, Ogungbemide quoted”.