The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has faulted the Olusegun Obasanjo administration for dismantling toll gates across the country.
Oyeyemi, who described the action taken by the Obasanjo government in 2004, as policy summersault, reasoned that the removal of the toll gates also meant the removal of weigh bridges used to check excess loading by vehicles in the country. He made these remarks yesterday at the maiden Lagos State University (LASU) School of Transport Lecture held at Ojo, Lagos.
The FRSC boss regretted that many motorists, especially articulated vehicles lifting petroleum products, have taken advantage of the absence of weigh bridges in the country, to overload their trucks.
He gave specific instance of some petroleum trucks transport operators who violate the regulation of lifting only a maximum of 32/33,000 litres of products, and go as far as lifting about 60,000 litres after fabricating their trucks tanks to accommodate more litres.
On what the FRSC is doing, he revealed that the agency is working with some other government agencies like the Federal Ministry of Works etc to check the menace, even as he stated that there would soon be a fine of N1m to be slammed on erring truck transporters.
Oyeyemi who spoke on the topic-‘Transportation and Rad Safety Management: Achieving the Sustainable development Goals in Nigeria’ stressed certain factors that are important to be addressed in order to achieve the goals.
According to him, the country needs to achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture because balanced nutrition is important to sustain the driver on the road.
Other factors outlined by Oyeyemi include sustainable, inclusive economic growth, making cities and human settlements safe, as well as taking urgent actions to climate change.
Others are promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, and strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.
Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun SAN, expressed satisfaction with the topic of the lecture as well as the delivery, even as he eulogised the FRSC boss for a job well done.
Dean School of Transport, LASU, Prof. Samuel Odewunmi, in his remarks, stated that the School of Transport is open for collaborations with stakeholders in order to proffer solutions to transportation challenges in the state and the country as well.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Dr. Taiwo Salaam, who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, explained that the state government is not relenting in ensuring better transport system.
Some personalities and government agencies were recognised by the institution in an event that witnessed a very impressive turn out.
