Dr Frederic Oladeinde, has enjoined Nigerians to take presonal responsiblity for their safety in this COVID era, as there is a shortage of security personnels who will ensure their safety.
He said this during the 12th Lagos State University Virtual Public Letcurer hosted by school’s department of Transportation, on the theme: “Staying Safe Against COVID-19 in Public and Private Transportation”.
Dr. Oladeinde revealled the government tried to enforce laws that will ensure safety in the transport sector but faced the challenge of inadequate security operatives that will help the bid.
He said, “When the pandemic started, we put in place guidelines and restrictions to ensure the safety of commuters in the state.”
“We initially started enforcing these restrictions by arresting those who flout the law. But considering the economic hardship brought about by the pandemic, we decided that rather than arrest offenders, we would embark on massive sensitisation and that is why you see that the state is doing a lot in that area”.
“The major challenge we have with enforcement is that our security operatives are inadequate and stretched. Many of the policemen who should ordinarily be enforcing the restrictions have been transferred to states in the North where we have major security challenges.” he added.
“We tried to mitigate this by mobilising our security and safety agencies such as Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps, LASTMA and others to fill in that gap. But you know they don’t carry arms, so their effectiveness is limited.”
“I think that it is important for people to take personal responsibility for their safety. The government will do its part, but ultimately the people have to protect themselves.”
Also, a former Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, called on the state government to subsidise public transportation to mitigate the adverse effects of Covid-19 on the economy.
He urged goverment to revisit and implement the Presidential Report of 2014 on National Policy on Mass Transit.
Also speaking at the event were the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel and Dr Ogochuckwu Ugboma of the School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University .
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