Nigerians are calling on law enforcement agencies in the transport sector to put on a human face while working

Author: Jude-Ken Ojinnaka

Nigerians and even Lagosians have pleaded with law enforcement agencies in the transport sector, especially in Lagos, to put on a human face while discharging their lawful duties, rather than resorting to harassment, intimidation and assault on alleged criminals of the law.

In the same vein, the Lagos State Government was urged to effectively manage the transport sector, which includes roads, railways and waterways, for the benefit of the people of the state.

These agencies include the Lagos State Transport and Management Authority (LASTMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Vehicle Inspection Service/Officers (VIS/VIO), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Supervising/Controlling Lagos State Ministry of Transport

This was the position of discussants at the fourth edition of the monthly Civic Responsibility and Rights Forum (CARF), an interactive roundtable on public policymaking and implementation, held at the Rights House, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday.

The monthly interactive roundtable on “Transport Management in Lagos as a Mega City: Opportunities and Challenges” was organized by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) in collaboration with the Center for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).

While discussing the issue, a women leader, Deaconess F. Adepoju, condemned the attitude of uniformed men towards road users. She said some uniformed law enforcement agencies are resorting to abusing road users rather than gently approaching them over alleged offenses.

” In some minor cases they need to be corrected. You are there to improve, not harass, road users. Abroad, they do not embarrass road users on the road.
“There are ways to monitor road traffic offenders and not stop or pursue drivers without caution. It is dangerous”

Pastor Oyesiji also took part in the discussion and said that people, people, are difficult to lead. In his opinion, although law enforcement agencies sometimes make mistakes, in some cases people should also be blamed.
He said some drivers deliberately break road rules and, if allowed, may cause problems for other road users.
He, however, appealed to the agencies to put a human face on their work, while asking the Lagos State Government to ensure road users are in good condition and passability.

Contributing to the discussion, Alhaji Kazeem Fawole said that the causes of transport problems are both agencies and road users.
He urged the Lagos State Government to effectively address the issue of transport, adding that as a mega city, Lagos should have effective road, rail and water transport that would properly serve its citizens.

ANSWERS

Reacting to the comments and observations of the participants in the discussion, the representative of the Special Adviser to the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Adepoju Olusanya, said that the department helps citizens who have one problem or another, especially the vulnerable.
The Office of the Special Adviser works with the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as with the political class regardless of party affiliation.
“We cooperate with politicians, regardless of party affiliation, we are at the forefront of protesters, especially politicians.
“We maintain contact between the legislature and citizens and participate in plenary sessions at the state and national levels.
“On the civic side, we engage citizens through CDA, CDC, we inform people about government activities, policies and implementation.
The Office of the Special Adviser educates, promotes and sensitizes the public about certain government policies.
“We are simplifying it in our local languages ​​to ensure better understanding.

Commenting on the transportation issue and the problems encountered, Mr. Olusanya attributed the road blockage to men and women putting their items for sale on one lane of the road, thereby causing traffic jams.
He then drew attention to the roads being blocked by garbage thrown by traders.
He revealed that an application had been launched in his office. Citizens Gate to receive complaints and advises that people can make complaints through it.

LASTMA Representative and Director Logistics and Engineering, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, said the role of the operations department, which deals with the population, is to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
”We enforce laws regarding the free flow of traffic. Putting on a human face is important to us.
“For us to fulfill our duties well, we also need society’s empathy.

Commenting on professionalism, Oshodi said there are strict operational guidelines and arrest protocol that officials must adopt while performing their duties.
“Wearing a uniform does not make us demigods to trample on people’s human rights.”
“It is our responsibility to identify challenges and work on them to serve society well.” He disclosed that LASTMA plans to open a complaint center where complaints will be received.

Representative of the Vehicle Inspection Service, Eng. On Olayemi, he said the vision of VIS is to serve the people of Lagos State by providing sound services based on the principles of common sense, standards, safety and security.

Earlier in his opening remarks, President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights and Chairman of the Center for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) on behalf of the Board of Governors of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Comrade Debo Adeniran welcomed everyone to the 4th edition of the Citizens’ Accountability and Civil Rights Forum (CARF).

He appreciated the presence of all conference participants and thanked everyone for coming. He said the event was a bold step in the commitment of CDHR and CACOL to contribute to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere between people on the demand side of governance in Lagos State and those on the supply side.

Explaining further, Comrade Debo Adeniran said that the event was organized with the aim of creating a venue where implementers and beneficiaries of various government policies come together to explain, clarify and discuss areas of concern to citizens in order to harmonize different opinions on the policies that are being implemented in country.

The event also provides a forum for a healthy exchange of ideas, whereby areas of friction between the government and the governed will be drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated, as people will have a sense of belonging and the government will also have the opportunity to listen to people’s opinions and clarify their positions on various political issues, that may appear at any given time.

“We are convinced that this will certainly result in harmonious relations between the government and the governed.

“Today we want to shine our spotlight on the transport sector in Lagos State. Under the slogan “Transport management in Lagos as a megacity: opportunities and challenges”.

“We would like to explore different perspectives on the government’s efforts to make transportation easy, affordable, efficient and effective for the people. We would also like to take advantage of the opportunity provided by this forum to contribute to the various efforts of the government aimed at improving the lives of citizens, especially in the field of transport in the state.

Lagos’s growing population and its position as the country’s commercial center continue to place enormous pressure on the state’s infrastructure, including public transport.

Among other things, the pressure on Lagos as a megacity and its then role as the dual capital of Lagos State and Nigeria as a country influenced the Muritala-led decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1976 to establish the Akinola Aguda Panel to consider a new location for the seat of the government of the Federation of Nigeria.

The commission recommended Abuja, and the final relocation of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja was completed in 1991 under the Babangida military regime.
The move has not resulted in any significant reduction in public infrastructure in the state as Lagos continues to experience rapid population and spatial growth. And without a doubt, public transport is taking the lion’s share of the pressure caused by the mass exodus of people and goods.

“The role of transportation is therefore fundamental to realizing megacity status in the US Africa model, and the efficiency with which people, goods and services can move from one point to another will ultimately determine people’s quality of life, hence we must seize the opportunity it presents is a forum to discuss and make relevant and useful suggestions on how we can all move more smoothly from one part of the state to another.”

The idea of ​​focusing on state government policies and actions and bringing people together to discuss these issues is based on the determination to ensure that government policies do not change the ordinary man on the street and encourage comprehensive, inclusive implementation of government policies aimed at improving well-being socio-economic status of the state’s citizens.

“As I have always emphasized, it is important to note that the forum is not just for government officials as it will also engage major service providers such as electricity providers, telecom providers, regulatory agencies, anti-corruption agencies etc. from time to time in depending on the occasion.”

“Let me state at this stage that the activities of CDHR and CACOL have long been funded by contributions and donations from affiliates, members and patrons. On this basis, we are asking for support for these organizations.

“We would like to do more in the service of humanity and we stand ready to work with relevant government agencies and fraternal organizations to ensure that we continue to be the voice of the hapless citizens of the country as a whole.”