Press Releases

How Traffic Congestion Can Become History In Lagos - Fashola

Feb 24, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday declared that traffic congestion can become history in the state if all stakeholders resolve to make it happen by doing so many little but important things as individual contributions.

In his words: “Let me emphasize that nothing is impossible. Traffic congestion can become history in Lagos if we resolve to make it history. We can do so many little but important things as our individual contributions”.

Governor Fashola who spoke while formally flagging off the Lagos State School Safety Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere added that: “As your Government, we have shown the lead by removing the obstructions along Agege Motor Road at Mushin and Oshodi, it means there is nothing in our genes as a people that says we cannot live decently and with dignity. I urge us all to let order and organization become the defining features of a Lagos that earns the respect of the world”.

He also informed that the state government has already completed five driving institutes spread across the state, which would be opened very soon as part of measures to ensure smooth transportation.

Governor Fashola said this is in addition to the institution of a faculty of public transportation in Lagos State University Ojo as part of measures to expand the frontiers of transportation research in the state.

Governor who identified the programme as another proactive measure by the present administration added that the state has also advocated the opening of street gates from 5.30am to 12 midnight to create alternative routes, improve interconnectivity of roads and ultimately decongest our roads.

While commending those who have complied, he said the state would soon be issuing notice to demand compliance from those who have not complied from March 31 this year with the directive which was reached through consensus by residents of the state at a Town Hall meeting.

The Governor who noted that gridlock is not peculiar to Lagos but is also happening in London and New York despite its underground rail service saying Lagos with the absence of underground rail service and water still has its transport system functioning.

He emphasized that Lagos State has something unique to Lagos and Nigeria about its transportation system which can be improved upon and shared with the world.

He implored parents and guardians to continuously show good examples to children and also listen to them when they give positive advice that can enhance the status of Lagos as a Centre of Excellence.

He also advised that: “we must never underestimate the intelligence of a child”.

He added that with the flag off of the programme, the state is taking a proactive step in breeding a generation of future leaders for who respect for law and order, especially road traffic regulations, will be an instinctive habit.

The Governor reiterated that through the School Traffic Awareness Advocacy Programme, also code named BRF (Be Road Friendly), pupils, students and teachers in both public and private schools in the state would be exposed to various road safety values, ideas, programmes and other road safety measures to be communicated to them.

Said he: “For the children in particular, the programme has been designed in such a way that they will have fun while learning road safety tips that will enhance their road safety consciousness. They will in turn influence the behaviour of their parents, guardians and other adults they come into contact with through the knowledge acquired”.

Governor Fashola reiterated that the critical role that children can play as change agents in society has acquired added significance in the present technology driven world such that it can be effectively utilized to help achieve the necessary level of road safety awareness which is imperative in a Mega City where millions of people must transit from one point to the other on a daily basis.

“Today we are taking a proactive step in breeding a generation of future leaders for who law and order, especially road traffic regulations, will be an instinctive habit, Governor Fashola said.

Governor Fashola added that the traffic safety advocacy programme has been broken into different components to ensure a holistic learning process and guarantee its success.

“One of the different components includes the introduction of safety clubs in all public and private primary secondary schools in the state where traffic safety lessons ,practical exercises, quiz competitions would be used to improve the traffic awareness knowledge of the children”, Governor Fashola added.

He also identified the design of school traffic safety zones within the schools, which is aimed at promoting and enhancing safety environment around the schools, adding that it will involve the installation of zebra crossings, road signage, traffic signs and traffic safety corners in all schools to complement the learning skills acquired from the traffic safety clubs as one other component.

“The Driver Safety Awareness Training Component of the Traffic Safety Advocacy programme is to ensure that every school bus driver, vehicle owner and other drivers within the school environment is properly trained on how to be safety conscious future leaders”, the Governor stated.

The Governor explained that the yearlong line up of activities will be concluded with the annual road safety awareness show which is designed to engage parents, teachers and children in statewide activities including quizzes competition and games as a means of developing a good and responsible user behavior.

Said he: “Our gathering here today is a demonstration of our resolve to building the future today by investing in the tomorrow of our children. They are the target audience of this our campaign”.

He reminded that motor vehicles are not toys, They need trained people to engage them just as similarly the highways are not playgrounds but are areas of activity that must be engaged by certain knowledge, skills and certain level of awareness, thus necessitating the emphasis on safe motoring.

Elder Statesman and former Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) who chaired the event appealed to the state Government to enact a law banning Okada drivers from carrying children under the age of 15 in any circumstance, shuddering at some callous mothers carrying innocent babies tied to their backs while riding on Okada motorcycle.

He said the statistics of deaths resulting from broken skulls due to road accidents are too alarming to cause the Government and all road users great concern.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa said government has in the past engaged several means and ways of addressing traffic safety, road users attitude and traffic management and control while forgetting the relevance and importance of the greatest change factor in effecting change.

He said the Be Road Friendly Initiative (BRF) specifically the School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme is aimed at using the greatest change factor in effecting change through our children who happen to be the most priceless asset yet the cheapest means of change.

Prizes were also presented to school children who distinguished themselves in various categories such as essay writing competition, road safety slogan, creative logo entries and fine art entries organized as part of the formal launch of the programme.

The programme was attended by Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, former First Lady of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, members of the State Executive Council, and thousands of school children drawn from all the educational districts in the State.