In its bid to ensure safety of drivers and passengers and curtail fatalities on the highways during the ember months, the Oyo State Park Management System, PMS has flagged-off the 2023 Ember Month Mega Rally.
Speaking at the elaborate event held at Temidire Motor Park, Wema, Iwo Road, Ibadan, in which all stakeholders described as historic and remarkable, the Chairman of PMS in Oyo State, Ambassador Wasiu Tomiwa Omolewa said the sensitization mega rally was done in conjunction with Federal Road Safety Corps, Oyo Sector Command, Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA and Oyo State Vehicle Inspection Services.
Tommy appreciated Governor Seyi who found him worthy to be appointed as the substantive chairman of Oyo PMS. His words:
“It is with immense gratitude that I express my heartfelt appreciation for the honor of serving as the Chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS).
“Your trust and confidence in me have kindled a profound sense of dedication, as I commit to wholeheartedly justifying this appointment.
“I extend my sincere thanks for your unwavering support and the incredible opportunities you have provided. Your visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change and development across our beloved state.
“I am humbled to be a part of the team that is actively working to bring your vision for Oyo State to life.
“Rest assured, Your Excellency, that I am fully dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of excellence in the management of our parks and the transportation industry. We are committed to the goals of the Park Management System, as well as your broader mission to improve the quality of life for the people of Oyo State.
“Under your guidance, we have taken significant steps to enhance discipline, safety, and professionalism in the transport sector. We are fully committed to the welfare of both drivers and passengers and will persist in our efforts to do so.
“I understand the weight of responsibility that comes with my position and the expectations set before us. I pledge to meet and exceed these standards.
“Your Excellency, I am deeply appreciative of the trust and confidence you have vested in me. Serving the people of Oyo State is a tremendous honor, and I am thrilled about the path ahead as we work together to make our state an even better place to live, work, and flourish.
I look forward to continuing our collaboration in the service of our. ”
Delivering his remarks, the General Manager of Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA, Mr Adeoye Ayoade, said one thousand, five hundred and sixty five (1,565) personnel of the agency comprising officers, Adhoc and Mayors shall be deployed across during the period. His words:
Speaking on the objective of the flag-off, the OYRTMA General Manager said the agency has its objectives within the period which he highlighted below:
a. Free Flow of Traffic: All routes, leading to Oyo State are to be effectively manned for uninterrupted traffic flow as well as Iwo Road Interchange.
b. Reduction in Road Traffic Crashes: Combined efforts shall be made to mitigate Traffic Crashes through enforcement of traffic regulation.
c. Prompt Rescue Operation: All logistics and Human Resources shall be deployed to ensure prompt rescue of Crash Victims.
d. Public Enlightenment: Public Enlightenment shall be conducted at churches, Mosques and motor parks across Oyo State. e. Mobile Courts: Mobile Court shall be held as occasion demands.
TARGET ENFORCEMENT
2.0 Enforcement shall target but not limited to the following offences:
a. Excessive Speeding
b. Dangerous Driving and Overtaking
c. Tyre Violations
d. Route Violation
e. Road Obstructions f. Use of Phone while Driving
g. Seatbelt Violations
h. Passengers Manifest Violations
i . Mechanically Deficient Vehicles j. One Way Drive
k. Overloading of Passengers and Goods
1. Disobeying Traffic Lights
m. Illegal parking/garages
3.0
LOGISTICS DEPLOYMENT:
Fifteen (15) Patrol Vehicles, Two (2) Ambulance, Eight (8) Heavy Duty Tow Truck shall be deployed for use during the operation across the State.
4.0 MANPOWER DEPLOYMENT:
One Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Five (1,565), Personnel, comprising Officers, Adhoc and Mayors shall be deployed across the State during the period.
5.0 ROUTE TO BE COVERED ARE:
IBADAN ROUTES
a. Iwo Road – Gate
b. Secretariat – Bodija / Ojoo
c. Gate-River
d. Dugbe Challenge
e. Idi-Ape-Akobo
f. Beere-Molete
g. Beere – Olorunsogo/Akanran
h. Eleyele-Ologunenu
i. U.I – Mokola
j. Agbowo-Moniya
k. Gate- Oja Oba
1. Iwo- Olodo
m. Challenge-Podo
n. Dugbe- Motele
SAKI ROUTES
a. Baba Niger – Sango Road
b. Sango-Okere School Road
c. Igbooro – Palace Area
d. Ajegunle- Barracks Road
ISEYIN ROUTES
a. Oja- Oluwole Road
b. Kara Junction
c. Oritalsalu Roundabout
OYO ROUTES
a. Owode Junction-Ogbomoso, Oyo Express way
b. Akesan Market-Palace Road
c. Kara Junction- Oroki Federal Girl’s College
d. Oja Oke-Ilora Palace
OGBOMOSO ROUTES
a. Ogbomoso- Ikoyi Road
b. Odo Oba Ogbomoso Road
c. Ogbomoso-Gambari Road
d. Ogbomoso-Oko Road
“Conclusively, every responsible Government owes it a duty to protect its citizens against road crashes and fatalities. This Ember Months campaign will complement other mechanisms aimed at stamping avoidable road crashes and fatalities in Oyo State.
“Road safety is a cardinal aspect of the nation’s security and development index.
“OYRTMA will do everything possible to safeguard it so as to reduce casualties on
our roads.”
On his part, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Joshua Oluwafemi Adekanye said,
” We are most grateful to God for another opportunity to convey again this year for this gracious occasion which is geared towards raising our consciousness on the need for safety while we travel for businesses, visit to our loved ones and daily activities within and outside the State
“The ember month campaign is our usual tradition in the Corps and its observed Nationwide at this period of the year because of the frenzy associated with travelling during the yuletide season to loved ones, whom we may not have seen over the year as a result of tight work schedule and the quest to acquire more money and resources
” The campaign became a necessity as the vehicular flow is expected to be on the high side than the usual, with the heightened temptation by driver to over speed under the erroneous belief of maximizing returns, driving under the influence of alcohol, use of phone when driving, distraction while driving etc. thereby endangering the lives of their passengers and other road users, through avoidable road crashes..
” This year’s Ember month campaign is titled “SPEED THRILL BUT KILL:
DRIVE RESPONSIBLY & AVOID OVERLOADING is targeted at achieving
minimal road crashes, zero fatalities and free flow of traffic during this period
” When you speed or go beyond the required speed limit, it is obviously a deliberate act that seems to show a disrespect for sanctity of life and road safety rules and regulations,
” The Corps has continued to lay emphasis against oven speeding and overloading as it poses threat to life which can be very irreversible. This is also not because it leads to crashes alone but also loss of lives.”
On his part, Engr I A. Ajayi, Director of Vehicle Inspection Services, Oyo State, said the 2023 Ember Month Mega Rally jointly organized by all major stakeholders in the transport sectors in Oyo State is highly commendable.
This year’s theme “Speed Thrills But Kill, Drive Responsibly and avoid overloading.
“The aim of the transportation system is to provide efficient service delivery and safe movement of people and goods from one place to another. It is a social activity but complex.
“However, Safe driving goes beyond the knowledge of moving a vehicle from one spot to another.
“Driving is something we do daily and it is about the most dangerous thing. In fact not less than 20,000 people leave home and never return every year.
“According to our findings over 90 percent of road crashes is caused by over speed, for example in the second quarter of 2020 Road Transport data, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that 2,080 road crashes occurred in Nigeria is as result of speed violation, was the major cause of the crashes. It accounted for 47 percent of the total road crashes responded.
“The twin brother of speed: which is wrongful overtaking follow closely as it accounted for 10 percent of the total road crashes recorded.
“Drivers believe that the faster they drive, the more they impress themselves and others, forgetting that anything can happen to the vehicles such as tyre burst, brake failure or pedestrian/ obeject running across the road as stated in the Nigeria highway code (38), more disasters and casualties are recorded when vehicles travels at high speed than when they do at normal speed.”
Other speakers at the event included Executive Chairman Egbeda Local Government, Hon Sikiru Sanda, Sheik Akewugbagold, President of Mogajis in Ibadanland, representatives of Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Christian Association of Nigeria, representatives of GOC, NDLEA, NSCDC, Commissioner of Police, Chief Ismaila Ashipa, Mogaji Adanla, representative of Head of Service, among others lauded Tommy for his peaceful reign since his appointment as the Chairman of PMS.