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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, has advocated the creation of an intermodal transportation system in Nigeria for efficiency in transportation system, saying over-dependence on road has led to inefficiency with negative consequences on movement of people and goods across the country.
He stated this in Lagos while delivering a paper at the First Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series instituted to draw public attention to the challenges of traffic management in Lagos state and Nigeria at large.
In the paper entitled, “Safety Challenges in Road Maintenance,” the Corps Marshal took a critical look at transportation in Nigeria, and observed that people regrettably depend for more than 90 percent on road for their transportation needs. This, he said, is against other modes of transpiration like railway and waterway, noting that the system largely lacks integration.
According to him, overdependence on road transportation put unnecessary pressures on road infrastructure with many portions of the roads constantly failing and serving as death traps for unsuspecting motorists. He expressed dismay at the situation where goods that should have been transported either through rails or waterways are hazardously conveyed through vehicles with wear and tears that affect the durability of the roads and functionality of the vehicles.
Oyeyemi further contented that lack of attention to alternative modes of transportation is not helping in effective traffic management and campaigns against road carnage in the country. The Corps Marshal expressed delight that the present administration is making concerted efforts to revive the rail and water transportation, saying when fully operational, the alternative sources could address the traffic challenges of the nation and trigger off socio-economic activities, as more people and goods could assess the alternative modes.
The Corps Marshal further observed that the current traffic challenges facing Lagos state could be traced to the neglect of other means of transportation and noted that when water transportation and railway system were functional in the city, traffic chaos was not so much pronounced. He however commended successive Governors of the state for their initiatives in coming up with measures to address effective management of traffic in the state as demonstrated by the establishment of Traffic Management Agency; willingness to partner with relevant stakeholders and establishment of the Traffic Radio. He noted that the lecture series by the media outfit is a commendable initiative that affirms the commitment of the state government to creating public awareness on traffic challenges facing the state with a view to finding lasting solutions to the menace.
On vehicular population of the country, Oyeyemi argued that despite the seemingly large volume of vehicle population in the country, the fact remains that there are less than 10 million vehicles presently in the country, with Lagos state accounting for the greater percentage. He further stressed that this figure falls far short of 20 or 30 million that had been consistently taunted by some analysts when discussing traffic situation of the country. He therefore, maintains that it was the factors of inadequate road space, indiscipline on the part of the drivers and general attitude of the people to road usage that lead to unnecessary gridlocks normally experienced on the nation’s roads.
To address the challenges, the Corps Marshal called for sustained efforts by the Federal and state governments to explore other modes of transportation to reduce pressures on the road and create linkages that could facilitate efficiency in the system. He further called for improved budgetary allocations for road construction and road safety management, adding that maintenance of the existing road infrastructure should be taken seriously. “The return of tollgates in the country is highly recommended to serve as source of funding for maintenance of the roads and as resting and calming spots for drivers who have the tendency to violate speed, if not restrained by such gates,” he stated.
On the ongoing road safety campaign, the Corps Marshal disclosed that FRSC came up with the campaign on speed violation, tyres and seatbelt following incessant reports of death and injuries resulting from tyre blowouts, speed induced crashes and fatalities attributable to non-use of seatbelt by some occupants of vehicle. These factors, he said informed the decision of his Management to commence the campaigns on use of good tyres, introduction of speed limiters and campaign for all occupants of vehicle to fasten their seatbelt. He appealed to members of the public to support the campaign, saying road safety is a shared responsibility.
In his paper entitled, “Migrating Force: The Challenges of Mass Transportation,” the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi , analysed the challenges of mass transportation, especially workers, noting that reliance on road transport alone has made traffic to become chaotic. He wondered how workers who had to wake up very early in the morning to go to work and return late in the night due to traffic congestions could be productive. The unending gridlocks, he said lead to loss of man hour and consequent low productivity which create negative impact on the nation’s economic development.
The Minister however disclosed that the present administration is committed to changing the trend with its huge investments in railway and water ways. This he said, would address the present inefficiency in the nation’s transportation system. He noted that while water transportation is receiving adequate attention, the policy to revive the railway system is on course. Amaechi added that when fully operational, the revitalised railway system would be able to assist people in their intra and inter-city movements.
Professor Bamidele Badejo who delivered a paper on “Dimensions and Challenges of Sustainable transport Management,” commended the FRSC and Lagos state government for the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment shown in managing traffic in the country. Badejo added his voice to the call for increased investment in transportation system of the country and stressed the need exploration of other modes of transportation to meet the increasing demand of people for adequate and efficient transportation system.
The First Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series which had as its theme, “Migrating Workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation,” was attended by participants from transport, business and financial institutions with Lagos state Commissioner for information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde and Commissioner for Transportation, Dayo Mobereola, addressing the gathering.
….FRSC News
