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Tag: Hyginus Omeje

  • Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: FRSC to go tough on motorists causing gridlock

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says motorists creating additional lanes and driving against traffic on the Lagos-lbadan Expressway will be booked for psychiatric check.

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos State Sector Commander told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that erring motorists will also have their vehicles impounded.

    According to Omeje, one of the causes of the constant gridlock on the road is impatient and attitudinal behaviour by most road users.

    “A good assesment of the road which l have done severally, reveals that there is nothing wrong with the road other than there is everthing wrong with the users of the road.

    “Although, the road is undergoing rehabilitation and expansion which has gotten to Magboro by MFM Church and at that point, Lagos- lbadan bound traffic was diverted to share lane with that of lbadan to Lagos.

    “The narrowing of the carriageway at the diversion point caused serious gridlock last week. The problem is always compounded anytime motorists creates additional lanes or driving against traffic leading to crashes.

    “We are not interested in arrest but to get the road free of gridlock. However, many motorists are creating problem for us by creating additional lanes or driving against traffic in the case of breakdown.

    “We will soon start to book the erring road user compounding problems on that corridor,”Omeje said.

    The FRSC boss noted that impatience had caused so much chaos and harrowing experience for motorists on the corridor.

    He urged motorists to always maintain their lanes, saying that lane discipline and obedience to traffic law was required by all road users to ensure free flow of traffic.

    Omeje said that the construction companies from OPIC had put signages from 50k/m, 80k/m and 100 km per hour speed limit.

    “No spirit, no demon that is causing anything on that road but the attitude of the road users impatience and lawlessness.

    “Our men are ready to enforce the law and to curb the excesses of people creating additional lanes and driving against traffic.

    NAN reports that the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway is 127.6 kilometre long ( 79.3 mi) connecting lbadan to Lagos and also a major route to the Eastern, Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria.

    The expressway is the oldest in Nigeria and was commissioned in August, 1978.

    It is also said to be the busiest interstate route in Nigeria and handles more than 250,000 vehicles daily and constitutes one of the largest road network in Africa.

  • No more road closure for Buhari’s mega rally, says Lagos

    Lagos State Government has reversed itself over the closure of 18 routes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally to canvass votes for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday.

    The rally holds at the Teslim Balogun stadium, Surulere with the state initially declaring some roads will be closed to ensure easy passage for Buhari and his entourage.

    But the government said there would be no more road closure, urging Lagosians to go about their normal businesses on Saturday during the rally.

    It, however, declared residents should expect an increased presence of traffic personnel at Surulere and adjoining streets because of the mega rally.

    Many Lagosians have expressed apprehensions the proposed closures would lead to a complete lockdown of the nation’s commercial nerve.

    Commissioner for Transportation Ladi Lawanson gave the clarification in chat with reporters at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa on Friday.

    Also present at the briefing were: General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Mr Wale Musa and the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje.

    Lawanson said the earlier statement announcing diversion and road closure had been reversed, adding that residents were free to go about their businesses.

    He said the state government was reversing its earlier position in conjunction with federal operatives and the APC to ensure minimal discomfort and minimal disruptions of businesses.

    The commissioner, who is also a member of the transport sub-committee for the Presidential visit and the APC rally, said “Lagosians have been very apprehensive that there will be traffic gridlock and we got a lot of feedbacks that we intend to grind Lagos to a halt.

    “People are apprehensive; they think we are going to shut down Lagos; they think movement would be restricted and they are bracing themselves for what they anticipate would be the hardship that would be visited on them by the president’s visit and our own activities.

    “I repeat there will be between zero to the barest minimum amount of disruptions to the normal movement that Lagosians undertake on a Saturday like today.

    Read Also: Nigeria Airways ex-workers stage rally for Buhari’s reelection

    “So, there will not be any road closures in Lagos today and Lagosians are free to go about their normal businesses today, Saturday,” Lawanson said.

    He said adequate arrangement had been firmed up to ensure free flow of traffic but residents should expect tight security around the routes which the President is expected to pass through in the course of his visit and the venue of the rally.

    “We would just like to communicate that because we are expecting a high caliber personality no less a person than the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the normal security precautions that attend a visit of this nature should be expected.

    “The President would visit Lagos tomorrow with the full retinue of security aides that protect him and his entourage but there will not be any road closures and there will be zero to minimal disruptions of normal activities,” the Commissioner said.

    He, however, said there would be huge presence of officials of the police, LASTMA, FRSC and other agencies to ensure free flow of traffic around the Surulere axis.

    “Around the venue of the rally which is the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and the adjourning streets are traffic management agencies such as LASTMA, FRSC, Police and other agencies that would support them tomorrow.

    “They will handle the traffic management around the venue tomorrow and so people can expect to see a huge presence of our traffic,” the commissioner said.

  • Apapa gridlock may linger for a while – FRSC

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Lagos State has said that the traffic gridlock around Apapa Port may linger for a while.

    Omege disclosed this on Saturday while accessing the challenges facing the corps in managing the perennial traffic situation in the area.

    He said that his men were handicapped to enforce traffic regulations that could lead to arrest and prosecution of truck drivers.

    He said most of the trucks and tankers were owned by some powerful Nigerians who often used security operatives to escort the vehicles to loading points through a one-way traffic.

    “My officers often try to enforce arrest and subsequent prosecution, but the culprits mostly go free after one influential person calls from Abuja, demanding for the release of the impounded vehicles.

    “This is a daily occurrence that has been impeding the operations of the FRSC in tackling the wharf access road crisis.

    “How do you expect the gridlock to disappear when one cannot enforce traffic regulations and some people who feel that their vehicles cannot be on the queue transgress the law with impunity,” Omeje said.

    According to him, the government needs a strong political will to check the excesses of truck drivers.

    Read Also: FRSC tasks petrol tanker drivers on safety regulations

    He said that every truck or tanker on the road had one powerful Nigerian behind it.

    “If regulations and prosecution were to be implemented, the crisis will not have gotten to this life-threatening state where drivers and motor boys die while waiting to load or drop off containers at the port,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • FRSC seeks stakeholders’ collaboration to reduce road carnages

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) has urged commuters and transport unions to collaborate with the commission to mitigate road carnages.

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, made this appeal on Tuesday at the 2018 West Africa Road Safety Organisation ( WARSO ) Day held in Lagos.

    The News men reports that WARSO anniversary is observed annually on May 8 across the West African sub-region.

    The 2018 anniversary tagged, “WARSO in the last 10 years, Journey So Far” had in attendance FRSC Special Marshal, members of transport unions and other security agencies.

    Omeje, who noted that road crashes had been on downward trend, however, said that the number was still huge, hence the need for commuters and transport unions to do more in sensitisation.

    According to him, commuters must not be quiet when any driver is endangering their lives by violating traffic rules and regulations.

    “If you see something, say something. Passengers can do much in reducing accident and save lives but what we discover is that more often than not, passengers keep quite.

    “If you are in a bus and the driver is speeding, you owe it as a duty to raise your voice; but what we see is the opposite, passengers keep quiet.

    “At times, other passengers will even silence the one raising alarm. This is unfortunate, life has no duplicate.

    “We should all be proactive in ensuring that we mitigate road crashes.

    “It is no more news that road traffic injuries claim more than 1.3 million lives each year and have a huge impact on health and development.

    “It is the attitude of the road users that is the problem. If overloading will be stopped as well as driving under influence of alcohol, transport unions have a role to play,” he said.

    The FRSC boss said that road crashes had killed more than malaria and HIV aids or any other diseases had killed.

    According to him, the commission has been going to motor parks to dissuade drivers from taking alcohol or any substance capable of affecting their moods and psyches.

    Omeje said that the aim of WARSO was to promote and reinforce road safety activities in the region.

    According to him, the organisation supports national road safety bodies, coordinate road safety activities, promote and encourage exchange of experience and information among member nations.

    “Within the last 10 years, WARSO has lived up to expectations and mandate for its establishment.

    Read Also: FRSC to impound truck, trailers with extra head light

    “We have been able to come up with a uniform template to record road crashes in the sub-region.

    “We have been able to inculcate road safety activities in schools curriculum in member states to ensure children imbibe road safety culture in primary and secondary schools.

    “To commemorate this year anniversary, we have organised a motorised road show to sensitise the motoring public on the proper use of the highways to reduce crashes,” he added.

    He said that Nigeria had been able to support member nations in setting up road safety bodies as well as having coordinated road safety activities.

    Omeje said that road crashes had been gradually and steadily declining in the last three decades of FRSC establishment since 1988.

    According to him, in the first decade of FRSC existence ( 1988-1997 ), the FRSC records 207, 746 crashes, while 138, 974 road crashes was recorded in the second decade ( 1998- 2007 ).

    “There is a downward trend in the number killed. The number killed in the first decade was 81, 495 and this came down to 65, 098.

    “In the third decade between 2008 and 2017, road crashes came down to 112, 812 while the number killed also came down to 58, 706.

    “There is a consistent trending down, we are not yet there. The number of crashes and victims is still huge.

    “There is still much more work to be done in terms of awareness, sensitisation, infrastructure to help in ensuring mitigation of this menace called traffic crashes on our roads”

    He advised governments in the sub-region to strengthen various institutions mandated with prompting road safety to be effective.

    Also speaking, Mr Adegboyega Adekunbi, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ), Ojodu Branch B, commended the FRSC and other traffic agencies for the sensitisation.

    Adekunbi, represented by Mr Taiwo Abiodun, the Secretary of the branch, however, urged the law enforcement agencies to always position themselves at strategic points that would curb accidents on highways.

    The News men  reports that the commission, apart from the road show, organised medical checkups and public enlightenment for transport unions at Berger Park, Ojodu to commemorate the WARSO Day.

    NAN

  • No need for data capturing to renew driving licence – FRSC

    No need for data capturing to renew driving licence – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has said that there is no need for data capturing while applying for renewal of driver’s licence.

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, the FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander said this in an interview with our reporter on Saturday, adding that the agency departed from the old system long time ago.

    ” I want to use this opportunity to tell motorists that they can renew their licence without going through capture.

    “The choice of coming to capture is yours, as long as we have your data base at the initial stage and its already in the system, you don’t really need to be captured any longer,” he said.

    Omeje said that there is provision to bypass capture in the new process of renewal of licence.

    The FRSC boss however, noted that recapturing of data would only happen when people want to change their passport photographs or change some variables stated at the initial stage in the data.

    ” The whole essence of renewal is to update your records. You might have changed your residential address and all other variables except date of birth which is constant.

    “And it is possible that somewhere somehow you had an accident that has given you mark or scars on your face, that has not been there before and if you don’t do the update, of not going for capture, you may be embarrassed when you go to the embassy,” Omeje noted.

    He also advised motorists to go to their various centres for collection of their drivers licences.

    Over 55,000 motorists were yet to collect their processed drivers’ licences at various designated centres in Lagos state.

    The sector commander had said in October, that about 55,412 processed drivers’ licences were ready and waiting for collection by their owners at the various designated centres in the state.

    According to him, there are no backlogs on the issuance of drivers’ licences again in the Lagos state.

    “We have 55,412 uncollected licences across our stations in Lagos state.

    Read Also: Ford to produce driverless police car

    “It is unfortunate that people do not come to collect their licences.

    “We produced 48, 423 out of which 14,323 were fresh; 33,899 were renewed and 199 were re-issued as a result of loss or damage.

    “The only challenge we are facing now is the collection of these licences because we have so many of them in our various centres.

    “Not because they have not been produced but the applicants are not coming to collect them,” he said.

    The sector commander appealed to the motorists, who have applied for drivers’ licence to visit the centres and collect their licenses before the expiration date.

    Omeje said that Lagos command had established some dedicated numbers for whomever has any complaint concerning either delay in issuance or collection of the licences.

    According to Omeje, 08150654567 is the number to call by any applicant in case there is a delay in issuance of the driver licences .

    He said that the numbers were created solely for the purpose of attending to issues related to licence.

    The sector commander noted that drivers could now renew their licences for N10,350 for a five-year duration while three-years licence costs N6,350.

  • FRSC rescues 90 in Lagos

    FRSC rescues 90 in Lagos

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) rescued 90 people unharmed in Lagos State during its “Operation Zero Tolerance Patrol’’ which started on December 18, 2017.

    The State Sector Commander of the corps, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, gave the figure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

    “So far, we experienced nine crashes during the patrol, but one was fatal where one life was lost on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “Two other crashes were serious where two victims were injured.

    “About 90 other people were rescued unharmed at other incidents,” he said.

    Omeje told NAN that the command arrested no fewer than 165 motorists at different corridors for various traffic offences during the patrol.

    Read also: Fatality rate in Ogun drops by 38.5% in 2017- FRSC

    He said that the corps lived up to expectations in ‘Ember Months’ sensitisation and patrol performances.

    According to him, the command established four camps which operated for 24 hours at different corridors, and adopted strategies to avert accidents and curb gridlocks on critical corridors.

    “We said before the patrol started that no motorists would sleep on the road as a result of gridlocks; so far, it is a success story,” he said.

    Omeje said enlightenment programmes by the corps to educate motorists, especially commercial bus drivers at different parks, accounted for the increased level of compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

    The sector commander appealed to motorist to drive safely and observe road signs on highways to avoid accidents.

    The patrol which began last year will end on January 15.

    NAN

  • Drunk driving: FRSC arrests 238 offenders

    Drunk driving: FRSC arrests 238 offenders

    Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Wednesday said that 238 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between January and September 2017.

    Oyeyemi made the disclosure at the annual “ember’’ months sensitisation programme tagged; “Don’t Drink and Drive” organised by the Nigeria Breweries at the Ojota Motor Park, Lagos State.

    The corps marshal, who was represented by Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC Head of Public Education, said that the corps was working assiduously to ensure that there was change of attitude among motorists before, during and after the Yuletide.

    “For this reason, it is not out place to stress that a drunk driver is likely to drive dangerously or commit traffic light violation.

    “These are part of the reasons the operation Cobra Enforcement, under the direct supervision of the corps marshal, focuses on it.

    “So far, the operation has recorded a total of 2,943 offenders who contravened various traffic offences within the first three quarters of the year,” he said.

    According to him, 1,414 drivers arrested during the Cobra Enforcement Operation were referred for emotional and psychological evaluation in government hospitals.

    Oyeyemi commended Nigerian Breweries for its sponsorship of the “ember’’ months campaign and its support to the FRSC in educating and sensitising motorists.

    The corps marshal said that the programme was organised to discourage drivers from consuming alcohol before driving.

    Also, Mr Hyginus Omeje, FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, commended Nigerian Breweries for supporting the corps in tackling the phenomenon of driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “This year’s campaign marks the 10th edition of the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign being sponsored by Nigerian Breweries as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the consumers.

    “As we officially flag off this “ember’’ months road safety sensitisation campaign, I charge each and every one to redirect our mind set towards good road use by obeying all rules and regulations as it affects our lives,” he said.

    In a message to the occasion, Mr Johan Doyer, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said that the Don’t drink don’t drive campaign was to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol and improve safety on the roads.

    Doyer, who was represented by Mr Kufre Ekanem, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Breweries, said that the initiative was part of the company’s advocacy of responsible consumption of alcohol.

    He said that the advocacy was part of its sustainability agenda “Brewing a Better World”.

    Dover said that objective was the improvement of road safety awareness for all commercial drivers and draw attention to alcohol related accidents as a result of drink driving.

    Mr Tajuden Agbede, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State branch, commended Nigeria Breweries for sponsoring don’t drink and drive campaign.

    Agbede said that the union on weekly basis organised enlightenment programmes for its members to caution drivers on the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol.

    He advised motorists to obey the traffic rules and regulations during and after the Yuletide to prevent accidents on the highways.

  • FRSC survey indicates 72% commercial drivers operate under alcohol influence

    FRSC survey indicates 72% commercial drivers operate under alcohol influence

    Seventy-two per cent drivers tested for alcohol on the highways in Lagos State are under the influence of alcohol, a survey by the Federal Roads Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has revealed.

    Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos Sector Commander of FRSC, who made the revelation on Thursday that the survey was carried out by the command.

    Omeije spoke at the flag off of the Guinness/FRSC Ember Month campaign against road crashes tagged “Responsible Drinking’’.

    The programme is aimed sensitising private and commercial drivers against dangers inherent in drink-driving.

    Highlights of the programme started about 13 years ago during ember month includes road shows, public talk and awareness at various motor parks and garages among others.

    Omeije said the test which was carried out at random shows that drink-driving is more prevalent among the commercial drivers.

    “In a survey conducted by the men of Lagos Command on alcohol testing using our Breathliser, it shows that 72 per cent of those tested did not pass the required level of alcohol.

    “The survey was carried out randomly and no particular class of vehicle was a target but the result shows that between the 42 and 72 per cent of commercial drivers tested positive.

    “To put the record straight, private cars owners, articulated vehicle drivers and government fleet drivers were also tested during the operation, but what comes to mind is the result from the test, the purpose of the survey.

    “The survey was made possible through the digital beathliser machine used to test the alcohol level in the blood donated by Guinness Nig. Plc, there is no bias in the exercise,’’ he said.

    Omeje said the insinuation that a particular set of road users were targeted by its men were unfounded, claiming that the result of the survey had vindicated the corps.

    “We are not out to witch-hunt anyone, the test were done randomly. The result also has it that only negligible number of private cars owners are guilty of drink-driving.

    “The result also shows the mindset of the commercial drivers when it comes to this issue. Anyone caught and found guilty will be made to pay a fine or face the mobile court.

    “We have zero-tolerance to drink-driving and we have various punitive measures to drivers who are found guilty.

    “Sometimes, we take the campaign to the motor parks and the driver that failed the test was made to lose his turn as the passengers were trans-loaded to another vehicle,’’ he said.

    The commercial drivers as against punitive measures.

    “We will continue to educate those drivers on the dangers of drink-driving. Ours is to give more support to educating more people on responsible drinking.

    “We will continue to give our support because of our policy on safety and also making our roads safe.

    “We are producing responsible drinks and we want our consumers to be responsible too, we are encouraging responsible drinking,’’ he said.

    Federal Road Safety Corps is the Government Agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria.

    Founded in 1988, the Federal Road Safety Corps operates in all Nigerian states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

    NAN

  • FRSC suggests holding bays as permanent solutions to Apapa gridlock

    FRSC suggests holding bays as permanent solutions to Apapa gridlock

    The Lagos State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says a permanent solution to the Apapa gridlock is the establishment of holding bays to accommodate trucks and articulated vehicles before loading.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, added that this would put an end to the perennial gridlock.

    He said that all owners of tank farms should provide facilities that would accommodate trucks coming into their facilities to load.

    “I think the traffic congestion problem in Apapa will be solved permanently if holding bays can be established to take trucks coming in to load.

    “The stakeholders with owners of tank farms should begin to pay attention to having a holding bay that can contain some trucks before being called in to load,’’ he said.

    Omeje said that government was trying to address the issue by bringing private investors to put up the facilities for the benefit of the residents.

    He said that this was a fundamental issue that was needed to allow free flow of traffic within the corridor.

    “We can have the private sectors coming up with the parks that some of the trucks can easily move in and wait for loading instead of parking along the streets in Apapa, thereby causing traffic.

    “Through the process, the next truck to load in the tank farm will be called through electronic call-up system. This method will reduce the gridlock,’’ he said.

    According to Omeje, the FRSC has partnered the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to inspect all trucks coming into the port for business.

    “We have had various meetings with the stakeholders, registered operators and NPA and we told them that it will not be business as usual if their trucks are not roadworthy.

    “Beside that, some of the articulated vehicles are overloaded, thereby causing traffic along the road.

    “We want to ensure that our road transport safety standard schemes are implemented at the ports for every truck coming in to load,‘’ he said. (NAN)

  • Over 55,000 drivers’ licences awaiting collection in Lagos – FRSC

    Over 55,000 drivers’ licences awaiting collection in Lagos – FRSC

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), has confirmed that over 55,000 motorists were yet to collect their processed drivers’ licences at various designated centres in Lagos state.

    Omeje made the confirmation in an interview in Lagos on Friday.

    He said about 55,412 processed drivers’ licences were ready and waiting for collection by their owners at the various designated centres in the state.

    According to him, there are no backlogs on the issuance of drivers’ licence again in the Lagos state.

    “We have 55,412 uncollected licences across our stations in Lagos state.

    “It is unfortunate that people do not come to collect their licences.

    “We produced 48,423 out of which 14,323 were fresh; 33,899 were renewed and 199 were re-issued as a result of loss or damage.

    “The only challenge we are facing now is the collection of these licences because we have so many of them in our various centres.

    “Not because they have not been produced but the applicants are not coming to collect them,” he said.

    The sector commander appealed to the motorists, who have applied for drivers’ licence to visit the centres and collect their licenses before the expiration date

    Omeje said that Lagos command had established some dedicated numbers for whoever has any complaint concerning either delay in issuance or collection of the licences.

    According to Omeje, there is a dedicated number to call by any applicant in case there is a delay in issuance of the driver licences (08150654567).

    He said that the numbers was created solely for the purpose of attending to issue related to licence.

    The sector commander noted that drivers could now renew their licences for N10,350 for a five-year duration while three years cost N6,350.

    He explained that applicants with expired original licence could renew his or her licence without necessarily going through recapturing process.

    Omeje, however, appealed to the drivers and applicants to endeavour to submit functioning phone numbers where they could receive an SMS once their licence was ready for collection.

    “We have discovered that by the time we send messages to the applicant, for collection of his or her processed drivers’ licence, it delivers on a non functional number”, he said.

    NAN