By AISHA COLE

The Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safely Corps (FRSC), Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, has urged motorists to give support to officers in rescuing victims.

He urged them to do so, as against the practice of taking pictures whenever an accident occurred.

Ogungbemide made the appeal during the 2022 World Day Remembrance For Road Victims with the theme “Justice” and Slogan “Remember, Support, Act”, in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said that the event was put together by the United Nations to remember accident victims that lost their lives or got injured during the course of moving from one destination to the other.

He stated that from experience, the corps had taken it as their responsibility to honour the directive by the United Nations in remembrance of road victims.

“Since I took over the leadership of Lagos in 2020, this is the third edition, and with my more than 25 years in service as a road safety officer, the eyes have seen.

“We have carried so many dead bodies, we have helped so many people, some of us would have been killed or died from the trauma.

“It is injustice where a person crashes into a fellow being and runs away from the scene of the mishap.

“In some situation, instead of helping victims, people would prefer to take pictures and send to social media.

“The business of saving lives is all our responsibility, we need to improve in rescuing people and not making the incidence to get worse,” Ogungbemide said.

He said that it was injustice for pedestrians not to use the bridge, as they risked their lives in crossing the highways.

He said that some zebra crossings were not properly positioned and so may not adequately serve the purpose for which they was created.

The sector commander said that the Lagos State Government was looking into the situation.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said that the state had enough laws to prosecute traffic offenders.

He urged the Nigeria Police Force to improve on training of its personnel to help road victims claim their rights as a result of road accidents.

Giwa noted that the FRSC had been supportive in rescuing and investigating road victims.

He said that it also sensitised road users especially the drivers on safety measures.

The adviser said that the Lagos State Laws covered prosecution and compensation for road accident victims.

He said that the administration of Gov. Sanwo-Olu would continue to create enabling environment for Lagos residents.

Giwa said that Sanwo-Olu had just approved 55 brand new vehicles for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

He reminded Lagos residents to call 112 or 767 in case of emergencies.

How’s said that the governor had also established six additional fire stations with 62 fire engines and other equipment to enhance rescue operations and reduce crashes to the barest minimum.

The Chairman, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mr Abdulwahab Matepo, urged government to review road accident laws to enable reckless drivers to face the full wrath of law.

He said that there was no insurance for road victims and only their immediate family carry the burden after accidents.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that the Lagos State Government had done justice in ensuring that responders were adequate.

He said that the quick response of LASEMA operations to point of accident had reduced morbidity and fatality rates.

The Chairman, Health Emergency Initiative, Dr Emmanuel Imafidon, said they had saved over 100 lives since 2021.

The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, who was represented by Controller Jubril Oshodi, urged Nigerian not to only remember the road victims but also to be

responsible for safety on highways.

Oreagba said that there was need for everyone to remember to preach the gospel of safety by arriving alive at all times.

The President, Residents of Lagos Taxi Association, Mr Omolekan Taiwo, said they had not recorded any crash of their members as a result of constant sensitisation on use of the road. (NAN)

•PHOTO: From seventh left, The Pen. Sec LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Chairman The Chairman, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mr Abdulwahab Matepo, The Special Adviser to Athr Lagos State Goverent, Mr Sola Gowa, the Lagos State Seftor commander, FRSC, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, other dignitaries during the 2022 World Day Remembrance For Road Victims with the theme:”Justice” Slogan “Remember Support Act” in Lagos on Tuesday, Organised by the Lagos Federal Road Safety Corps.

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