By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Efforts are already being made to curb road crashes in Oyo State with the installation of traffic signs, the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) has said.
The road signs would be installed in collaboration with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Mr Akin Fagbemi, stated.
Speaking when he hosted the leadership of Oyo Global Forum (OGF), an NGO leading the charge of combating road accidents through effective road signs and signals, Mr Fagbemi said the road traffic signs and signals would be put at strategic points across the state.
According to him, this is in the agency’s continuous bid to contribute to the actualisation of the four cardinal objectives of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde and bring to barest minimum incidents of road traffic crashes in Oyo State.
Mr Fagbemi also reiterated the significant roles of private individuals, NGOs and corporate entities in ensuring effective traffic management in the state.
“In this century, government is the people and if we must surmount myriads of societal inefficiencies, there is a crucial need for partnerships such as this particularly at these Ember months where so many sons and daughters of the state all over the world are trooping in to enjoy the yuletide season with their families and friends.
“It is, therefore, imperative we evoke Section 16 of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority Law 2009 as amended which partly stipulates that the authority shall foster partnerships among the government, local authorities, the private sector and civil society organizations to raise awareness to improve road safety,” he said.
The OYRTMA boss further said that the exercise would be in phases with the first phase to be pioneered by the OGF under the leadership of Mr Olorunpoto Rahaman in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West Local Government Areas of the State.
When completed, the exercise is expected to help reduce road traffic crashes caused by haphazard driving techniques due to the absence of signs and signals on some roads in the state.
“It would further boost the actualization of the four cardinal objective of the present administration under Governor Seyi Makinde viz improved security of lives and properties, good and effective education system, good healthcare delivery system as well as improved economic gains,” Mr Fagbemi stated.
