Transport
FRSC Commander Warns Officers Against Bribe
Mr Nsebong Akpabio, the Lagos State Sector Commander,
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), last Saturday warned officers and men of
the commission against taking bribe from road users.
Akpabio gave the warning when he visited Ibah/Ijanikin unit
in Badagry, Lagos State.
He urged them to be transparent in their duty of securing
the lives of road users.
“I want to warn you to desist from taking bribe because if
you are caught, that is the end of your job,” he said.
Akpabio said he would not spare any officer, adding that all
officers must be committed to the ideals of the commission which is geared
towards reducing road accidents.
“You should all abide by the Accra Declaration which states
that by the year 2015, every member country must reduce road accidents by
half,’’ he said.
The FRSC boss stated that every 30 minutes, one person dies
through crashes, and urged them not to compromise their duties.
“Be firm and cautious, and don’t compromise your job of
ensuring the safety of Nigerians.
“You have to work with other stakeholders to realise the
objective of the FRSC,’’ Akpabio said.
The unit commander, Mr Segun Aladenika, said the challenges
facing the unit included activities of hoodlums, inadequate patrol vehicles and
bag eggs among officers.
“This area is always invaded by hoodlums at night, who come
around to smoke Indian hemp and other dangerous drugs,’’ he said.
Akpabio used the occasion to commission newly constructed
borehole for the unit.
Prof. Samuel Ajeh, the Director General of Nigeria French
Language Village, Badagary, on Saturday commended the Federal Roads Safety
Corps (FRSC) for reducing road accidents.
Ajeh gave the commendation when Nsobong Akpabio, the Sector
Commander, FRSC, Lagos State Command, visited his office.
“I want to commend your commission for the good things it is
doing on Nigerian roads through reduction in road accidents,” he said.
“Because you want to help us to prolong our lives, you have
succeeded in bringing joy to Nigerians.’’
Ajeh promised to help in teaching FRSC staff French language
and to ensure that workers in the village join the commission’s special
marshals unit, if required.
Responding, Apabio restated the objectives of the corps and
enlisted the support of the institution.
“I want you to help the commission in its enlightenment and
awareness campaigns on the need to reduce road accident by half by the year
2015,” he said.
The sector commander promised to engage the service of the
village as special marshals, adding that the issue of French language would be
forwarded to the corps headquarters in Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that the sector commander later
visited the palace of Alapa of Apa, and the Director-General of ASCON, Mr
Ajibade Peter.
At ASCON, the sector commander sought the support of the
management in the crusade against road accident.
He urged ASCON management and the staff to join the vanguard
for the creation of public awareness on the need to keep accident off Nigerian
roads.
In his remarks, ASCON director general commended Apabio for
the good job he had been doing in Lagos State.
He said that that driving through the roads of Lagos, one
would observe that “there is high degree of sanity as men of the FRSC are very
visible on the highway.’’
Our correspondent
reports that Apabio ended his visit at Badagry unit command where he
inspected a guard of honour mounted by officers before holding a meeting with
the command’s team, led by unit commander Salihu Galandunsi.
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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