LASG charges FRSC on relationship with grassroots leaders
The Lagos State Government has charged members of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) on cordial relationship with leaders at the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, gave the charge on Thursday during a courtesy call by the FRSC, Lagos State Sector Command.
Ahmed urged them to relate with traditional rulers, Community Development Associations and markets across the state, to aid a smooth discharge of their duties on Lagos roads.
He encouraged members of the corp to take advantage of relating with the leaders at the grassroots to reach out to members of the communities.
According to him, this will help to change the perceptions of people about their operations, thereby gaining full acceptance and engender peaceful operation within the communities.
The commissioner implored the corp to make use of the different meeting platforms, put in place by the ministry, in reaching out to the communities.
He said that the meeting platforms included the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting for local government chairmen, the Development Advisory Council Meetings and the Market Advisory Council meetings for market leaders in the state.
Ahmed said that the periodic sensitisation of the public during such meetings would help to ensure adequate safety of lives and properties.
He said that the cases of covering vehicle number plates and indiscriminate blaring of sirens should be looked into, as well as other serious traffic offences on Lagos roads.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs Kikelomo Sanyaolu, said that the statutory responsibilities of the ministry cut across broad grassroots issues.
Sanyaolu assured the FRSC team of the ministry’s collaboration in achieving smooth and cordial operation on Lagos roads.
Earlier, the FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, Olusegun Ogungbemide, who took over in Lagos on June 11, 2020, applauded the Lagos State Government and called for more cooperation from the grassroots to establish more station offices across the 20 Local Government Areas.
“This is necessary for database collation, public enlightenment, collaboration with sister agencies of the state during rescue operations, to prevent road accidents and other related emergencies,” he said.
Ogungbemide said great synergy with the communities is needed to curb crashes and other road emergencies, abuse of number plates; as a threat to state security, among other offences.
He said that ‘crime starts and ends on the road,’ saying the FRSC owes residents a responsibility to give accounts of people coming into Lagos State.
