By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Nigerians and indeed Lagosians have implored the law enforcement agencies in transportation sector especially in Lagos to apply human face while discharging their lawful duties instead of resorting to harassment, intimidation and assaulting of perceived offenders of the law.
In the same vein, the Lagos State government have been urged to effectively manage the transportation sector which comprises road, rail and waterways for the benefit of the people in the State.
These agencies include Lagos State Transportation and Management Authority (LASTMA) Kick against Indiscipline (KAI), Vehicle Inspection Service /Officers(VIS/VIOs), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Supervising /Controlling Lagos State Ministry of Transportation
These were the position of discussants at the 4th edition of Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF) monthly stakeholders interactive roundtable on public policy making and execution held at Rights House, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday.
The monthly interactive roundtable with a theme ” Managing Transportation in Lagos as a Mega City: Opportunities and Challenges”, was organised by the Committee For the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR ) in collaboration with Centre For Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).
During discussion on the theme, a women leader Deaconess F. Adepoju decried the attitude of the uniform men on road users. She said some uniformed law enforcement agencies resort to bullying road users instead of approaching them gently for a perceived offence.
” In some minor cases, they should be corrected .You are there to correct and not to harass road users. In abroad, they do not embarrass road users on the road.
“There are ways to monitor traffic offenders and not to stop or chase motorists without caution. It is dangerous”
Also contributing in the discussion, Pastor Oyesiji said that as human beings, people are difficult to manage. According to him while the law enforcement agencies have their lapses, the people also have to be blamed in some cases.
He posited that some motorists deliberately defy traffic rules and if allowed, may cause problems for other road users.
He however appealled to the agencies to let their work have a human face while at the same time asking the Lagos State government to put the roads in good and motorable condition for road users.
Alhaji Kazeem Fawole while contributing to the discussion, said that transport problems are caused by both the agencies and road users.
He urged the Lagos State government to be effective on the issue of transportation , adding that as a Mega City, Lagos should have effective road, rail and waterways transport that would serve its citizens properly.
RESPONSES
Responding to the contributions and observations of the discussants, a representative of Special Adviser, Office of Political , Legislative and Civic Engagement, Mr Adepoju Olusanya said that the department assist citizens who have one problem or the other especially the vulnerable people.
The office of the Special Adviser interfaces with the executive and legislative arms of the government and also with political class irrespective of party affiliation.
“We interact with politicians not minding the party affiliation, we are on the front bunner for the protesters particularly for politicians.
“We interface between the legislature and the people, we attend plenaries at State and national levels.
” On civil aspect, we engage the citizens through CDAs, CDCs, we enlighten the people on government activities, policies and implementation.
” The office of the Special Adviser educates, advocates and sensitizes the populace on some of the government policies.
“We simplify it in our local languages for better understanding.
Commenting on the issue of transportation and problens encountered, Mr Olusanya attributed the blockage of roads to market men and women who display their articles for sale on one Lane of the road, thereby causing traffic jam.
He further pointed out the blocking of roads by refuse dumped by traders.
He disclosed that his office have opened an App. Citizens Gate to receive complains and adviced that people can use it to lodge their complains.
LASTMA representative and Director, Logistics and Engineering, Mr Jubril Oshodi said that the role of Operactions department which deals with the populace is to ensure that traffic flows seamlessly.
” We apply the enforcement of the laws for free flow of traffic. Applying human face is importation to us.
“We also need the empathy of the public to discharge our duties well.
Speaking on the issue of professionalism Mr Oshodi said that there are strict operational guidelines and protocol of arrest which the officials must adopt on carrying out their duties.
“Wearing uniform does not make us demigods to trample upon the human rights of the people ”
“It is our responsibility to identify and work on our challenges to ensure that we serve the public well “. He disclosed that LASTMA is about opening a complaint centre to receive complains.
A representative of the Vehicle Inspection Service Engr.O Olayemi said that the vision of the VIS is to serve the people of Lagos State by delivering a sound service anchored on Sanity, Standard, Safety and Security.
Earlier in his opening remarks, President, Committee For The Defence Of Human Rights, and Chairman, Centre For Anti-Corruption And Open Leadership (CACOL) on behalf of the Board of Governors of the Committee For The Defence Of Human Rights, Comrade Debo Adeniran welcomed all to the 4th edition of the Citizens Accountability and Rights Forum (CARF).
He appreciated the presence of all attendees to the conference and thanked all for coming. He said that the event is a bold step in CDHR and CACOL’s commitment to contribute to creating a peaceful atmosphere between the people on the demand side of governance in Lagos State and those on the supply side.
Explaining further, Comrade Debo Adeniran said the event was organized to create an avenue where the implementers and the beneficiaries of various government policies would come together to explain, elucidate and expatiate on areas of concern for the citizenry with a view to harmonizing different opinions on policies that are being implemented in the State.
The event also provides a forum for healthy exchanges of ideas so that the areas of friction between the government and the governed would be drastically reduced if not totally eliminated because the people would have sense of belonging and the government would also have the opportunity of listening to the people and explaining their positions on diverse policy issues that may crop up at a particular time.
“We are convinced that this will definitely bring about harmonious relationship between the government and the governed.
“Today, we want to beam our searchlight on the transportation sector in Lagos State. With the theme, “Managing Transportation in Lagos as a Mega City: Opportunities and Challenges”.
“We would like to explore the different angles to the efforts of the government at making transportation easy, affordable, efficient and effective for the populace, we would also use the opportunity provided by this forum to make inputs into the various efforts of government aimed at making life better for the citizens, especially as it concerns transportation in the state.
The bourgeoning population of Lagos and its position as the commercial nerve centre of the nation has continued to put enormous pressure on infrastructure in the state, including public transportation.
Among other reasons, the pressure exerted on Lagos as a mega city and its role then as dual capital for the state of Lagos and Nigeria as a country informed the decision of the Muritala led federal government of Nigeria in1976 to set up the Akinola Aguda panel to consider a new location for the seat of the government of the federation of Nigeria.
The committee recommended Abuja and the final movement of federal capital from Lagos to Abuja was completed in 1991 under the Babangida Military Regime.
The movement has not resulted in any significant reduction of public infrastructure in the state as Lagos continues to experience rapid population and spatial growth. And no doubt public transport is taking the lion share of the pressure created by mass exodus of people and goods.
“The role of transportation is therefore fundamental to the realization of the States Africa Model mega City status and the efficiency with which people, goods and services can move from one point to the other would ultimately determine the quality of life of the people, hence the need for us to use the opportunity provided by this forum to discuss and offer relevant and useful suggestions on how we all can be more seamless movement from one part of the state to another”.
The idea of focusing on the state government’s policies and activities and gathering people to discuss it, is anchored on determination to ensure that the common man on the street is not short changed by government policies and encourage an all-embracing, all-inclusive implementation of government’s policies so as to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the State.
“As I have always pointed out, it should be noted that the forum is not meant only for public servants, as it will also engage major service providers like electricity, communication providers, regulatory agencies, anti-corruption agencies, etc. from time to time as the occasion demands.”
“Let me at this stage, state that CDHR and CACOL’s activities have for long been funded with subscriptions and donations from affiliates, members and patrons. It is on this basis that we are soliciting your support for the organizations.
“We would like to do more in the service of humanity and we are ready to partner with relevant government agencies and fraternal organizations to ensure that we continue to be the voice for the hapless citizens of the country as a whole”.
