From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state has vowed to establish Mobile Court where all those involved in the administration of justice would be available to arrest and try erring motorists no matter their positions or status in the society.
“Government will no longer have it kindly with erring VIPs drivers and other motorists who fails to obey traffic rules and procedures on Abuja- Lokoja and other federal corridors in the state,” he vowed.
Governor Ahmed Ododo made the disclosure at a critical stakeholders’ Meeting on Traffic Management, Control and Road Safety Management held on Wednesday at the Government House Lokoja.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Roads Safety Matters, Dr. Suberu Yusuf John, who noted that against the prevailing traffic situation in Abuja- Lokoja highway corridor, the need to identifying practical solutions, strengthening road safety measures, and coordinating the deployment of personnel have become necessary to confront gridlock menace in the state .
Dr. John stated that the situation of the gridlock on the highway for days has caused physical and mental torture to motoring publics, saying kogi state has begun measures that will ease the menace as the ember months sets in.
He added that the meeting was aimed at bringing all the stakeholders in the road transport sector to brainstorm and offer solutions that will help tackle the notorious gridlock.
He lamented that kogi state being in the heart of the Nation , any obstruction to the road will instantly create unimaginable gridlock, as thousands of articulated vehicles and other vehicles criss- cross the road on regular basis which affects Socio economic losses and warned motorists, contractors handling the road project to take their jobs seriously to avoid collision with the state.
Dr. John lamented that the gridlock that occured at Magajia section of the road that lasted for almost a week was not a good commentary for the state, and assured the publics that the remote causes would be tackled before the Christmas and new year festivals.
In a remark, the sector commander of FRSC in the state, CC Lawal Fagge said strategies that required proactive planning, enforcement, public education and rapid emergency response would be in place to curtail the traffic challenges of the Ember Months.
He charged stakeholders to put adequate measures in place to arrest identified challenges.while calling for early morning deployment of staff from various commands to ensure compliance and to avoid traffic lock up, as experience has shown that it takes a whole night traffic control to unlock the hold-up when drivers take one way to dodge the traffic on one lane thereby jamming the whole road to a standstill.
He called on authorities to deploy personnel to identified traffic bottlenecks at Nataco, Banda, Magajiya, and Gaba Hills to effectively manage the traffic flow, contain the perennial obstructions, hold-ups, and the accompanying hazards
Fagge who is the deputy chairman of Road transport management Council urged authorities to form and coordinate a task-force with other sister agencies to ensure visibility of personnel from various agencies and critical stakeholders to man the major roads, markets areas and junctions within the period.
He hinted that agencies to form the taskforce include the Navy, Police, NSCDC, emergency medical services, fire service, state traffic agencies, and other stakeholders, who will identify black spots areas, create awareness of the areas and ensure palliative attention or repairs of the area.
The Road safety boss also solicited for the continued liaison with the Federal Ministry of Works so that the road construction does not affect traffic flow, create palliate for bad portions of the road, and equally create alternative routes or diversion where necessary.
According to him” We are to educate motorists on lane discipline and patience and ensure compliance on the corridor areas during the festive seasons, Discourage unnecessary night journeys, particularly on poorly lit or unfamiliar routes.
” Position ambulances, rescue equipment and tow trucks Strategically along major routes. Establish camps and effective communication channels for quick reporting and response to crashes.
Encourage transport operators to maintain proper driver schedules to reduce fatigue, not to be fixated on money making this period.” He advised.
Other speakers from the police, Military, VIO, NSCDC, Transport Unions, FMC , Ministry of works harped on effective synergy with contractors handling the reconstruction work on the bad portion of the road to speed up the work and to remove heavy equipment and to create alternative routes when work is stalled.
The stakeholders bemoaned the activities of some road users especially the VIP drivers who often flouts operational directives when gridlock occured thereby worsening the situation.
They assured to do everything within their powers to ease the congestion by putting everyone on her toes even as to position heavy duty tow vans at strategic spots to tow break down vehicles at a fee as a deterrent for motorists to always put their vehicles in sound condition before embarking a the journey.
