The Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) recently held its safety enlightenment awareness campaign at the lgando/lkotun axis, as part of the activities of the state government to ensure the safety of lives and improved sanity on Lagos roads during the festive period and beyond.
In her opening remarks at the event, the General Manager, LASDRI, Mrs Afusat Tiamiyu, said bringing of the sensitisation campaign to the area was informed by its strategic location as well as the large concentration of motor parks along the corridor.
Tiamiyu said it became imperative to bring all the professional drivers in the area together to enlighten and educate them on the need to be safety-conscious during the Yuletide season, adding that it was aimed at providing an avenue for a one-on-one discussion with the leadership of the various Transport Unions on the need for their members to key-in into the service platform of the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute.
The General Manager averred that the professional drivers should be proud of their profession because transportation is a key factor in economy-building and she tasked them to build a new name for themselves in the society by exhibiting decent behaviour while relating with other road users, their environment and, most especially, the commuters.
While charging the professional drivers on the need to avail themselves of every training opportunity, abide and put into good use the training exercise, she reminded the participants to always comply with the precautions of COVID-19 which is still very much around, stressing that the transmission rate is on the increase again and they should adhere strictly to the Federal and State Government safety protocols on COVID-19.
Also speaking at the event, the Federal Road Safety Corps Deputy Route Commander, Mr Moses Bamidele, said there is a need for continuous and regular engagement of the motoring public about emerging transportation issues in the State.
The FRSC commander informed the participants not to see traffic management agencies as their enemies but working colleagues, who are saddled with the responsibilities of protecting and reminding them of what is expected on the roads.
In the same vein, Vehicle Inspection Service Head, Ikotun, Engineer Shoberu Obasegun, said all the traffic management officers are working together to improve the road culture and sanity among all road users, noting that safety of lives, through observing traffic rules and regulations, should always be the watchword of good drivers.
Also in his own contribution, the representative of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Zebra Olatunji Olokodana, urged the leadership of the various transport unions to always monitor and educate their members on the need to obey all traffic rules and regulations, and to be safety conscious at all times.
Responding, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman/State Auditor, Igando-Ikotun Branch, Mr Sunday Ogunleye, commended the Lagos State Government for putting together the awareness programme for their members along Igando/Ikotun corridor, adding that they have been looking for ways to partner and key into all the Lagos State Government programmes designed to promote the safety of lives and traffic-related issues in the State.
He, therefore, pledged the commitment of their members to all the state government programmes, appealing to the authorities to create a training forum for professional drivers so as to update them about the new transportation laws and guidelines in the State.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of customised face masks to the NURTW, Igando/lkotun Branch Executives and about 50 professional drivers present at the event.
