Transport
Accidents: Bayelsa Pledges Co-Operation With FRSC
The Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State, Chief Salo
Adikumo has attributed frequent road accident to ignorance of most people on
highway codes and therefore said his ministry will collaborate with the
relevant agencies to carryout awareness campaigns.
To this ends, Chief Adikumo called on the Federal Road
Safety Corps to be more proactive in the task of educating and creating
awareness in the local government areas to avoid unnecessary carnage on our
roads.
The commissioner, who made the call when officials of the
Federal Road Safety Corps led by the state Sector Commander, Mr Jack Vincent,
paid him an advocacy visit in his office in Yenagoa, the state capital, said
this has become imperative to the unacceptable high number of lives lost on
road accident across the state on regular basis.
Chief Adikumo, who pledged the state government’s commitment
to partner with relevant federal government agencies, noted that many of the
road mishaps were as a result of ignorance of road signs and non-compliance
with basic requirements needed in vehicles and called for extension of
enlightenment to the rural areas of the state.
The commissioner argued that the recent disaster along the
Okogbe axis of the East-West Road involving a tanker in which more than 100
persons were burnt, could have been averted if the people were properly
educated on the dangers of scooping fuel.
Chief Adikumo said as a Marshal under the Sagbama Unit, he
was surprised to notice that most of the drivers plying the highway do not have
the least knowledge on road signs, the implications of drinking while driving,
overloading and overspeeding, stressing that for the safety of the road users,
officers of the corps should live above board.
He said, it was very essential for the Ministry of Education
to be involved in the business of sensitising the citizens on road usage as one
of the agents of socialisation, adding that his ministry should be involved in
mobilising school children.
Earlier, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road
Safety Corps, Mr Jack Vincent, had told the commissioner that the Road Safety
Corps has a mandate from the Presidency to do a survey and identify issues
bordering on causes of road accidents and train people on road safety
compliance.
Mr Vincent explained that as soon as the survey was
concluded, school principals and head teachers would be invited for training
through the Ministry of Education, while in the area of public enlightenment,
the Hon. Commissioner would be requested to talk to the people.
He noted that the organisation is charged with the
responsibility of ensuring maximum safety on the highway in the country,
stressing, however, that the Ministry of Education would be the platform
through which this noble objective can be achieved and thanked the commissioner
for accepting to collaborate with them.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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