LASDRI TAKES SAFETY ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN TO OJODU-BERGER MOTOR PARK
… Collaborates With Other Traffic Management Agencies
The Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) has held a one-day Public Enlightenment and Advocacy Campaign for professional drivers under the aegis of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ojodu-Berger Branch ‘A’. The theme of the campaign was “Drivers’ Education: Panacea to Economic Development”.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, LASDRI, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu, stated that transportation plays a vital role in the economic development of the State, hence the need for all professional drivers to familiarise themselves with the new trends and various developments in the sector as it affects their profession.
Tiamiyu noted that the choice of visiting the motor park became necessary due to the busy schedule of professional drivers, adding that the Institute deliberately collaborated with other Traffic Management Agencies such as Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to give the participants an encompassing knowledge about all transport-related issues that affect the motoring public plying Lagos roads.
She encouraged the participants to see the programme as an avenue to tap from the experience of the facilitators, emphasising the need to ask questions on any transport-related matters that might pose challenges while carrying out their daily duties.
In her contribution, the General Manager of Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mrs. Lape Kilanko, highlighted the roles of drivers in economic development and advised the participants not to patronise touts when renewing their vehicle papers.
Kilanko, represented by Engineer Ibrahim Bishi, Director of Licensing and Records Department, MVAA, maintained that motorists should always endeavour to go through the Lagos State approved channels to renew documents so as not to be caught on the wrong side of the law.
Also speaking, the Director, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Engineer Akin-George Fashola, represented by Engineer Hakeem Balogun, Head of Strategy Unit, enlightened the participants on vehicle maintenance, stressing that corrective maintenance of vehicles is more costly than preventive maintenance.
He said professional drivers cannot afford to be careless about making sure their vehicles are always in good working condition before embarking on any journey.
The representative of LASTMA, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, encouraged the participants to seek justice whenever they feel arrested unjustly by approaching the Mobile Court to defend themselves.
Responding on behalf of all other participants, the Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ojodu-Berger Branch ‘A’, Mr. Joel Danifosi, appreciated the State Government for the various rehabilitation works being carried out on Lagos roads.
He also commended the institute and all other Traffic Management Agencies present at the event for their efforts, pledging to ensure that drivers continually employ all that they have learnt in their day-to-day activities while complying with all safety rules and guidelines governing transportation in the State.
