‘Lagos is working, Fashola is working, etc.’ are popular slogans that came into existence during the tenure of the Lagos State governor, BRF as he is popularly known. BRF has introduced many initiatives that have so far made Lagos a more livable place than ever before. Among these initiatives are LASTMA and Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). These two agencies have had tremendous impact on the orderliness and cleanliness which have largely become noticeable in Lagos.
I am one of the many people who condemned LASTMA for their high-handedness and lack of courtesy in the early days of their operations in Lagos State but over the years, I have seen that LASTMA operatives are made to go through thorough and intensive training programmes and this has resulted in more disciplined and decent LASTMA men and women. Nevertheless, there are still some bad eggs that show up unexpectedly and rubbish the good work of LASTMA and the effort of BRF at making Lagos traffic less horrifying. The climax of the effort of BRF is the creation of Lagos Traffic Radio to further ease the stress and tension on Lagos roads and the users.
I still maintain that some barbaric tendencies of some Nigerians cannot be taken away overnight especially in a society that celebrates criminals and ritualists who throw ill-gotten wealth around. In the light of this, we cannot expect that the bad eggs in the system will immediately be identified and dismissed or prosecuted. It will take some more time and patience. We cannot over flog the issues of corruption and crookedness among members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) which has been in existence since January, 1896.
With so much already in place in Lagos State, why has it become necessary for the FRSC to be operating independent of LASTMA within the neighbourhoods in Lagos State? What would they be doing in areas like Anthony, Gbagada, Mushin or Ilupeju when LASTMA men and women are performing their duties in these areas? One expects to see them on the highways and not in place where Lagos State government already has its operatives functioning.
Men and women of FRSC are more interested in ‘catching’ offenders and issuing tickets or accepting bribes ranging from N2,000 and above rather than helping to reduce the number and impact of road traffic accidents. Their presence within Lagos neighbourhoods is suggestive of an ulterior motive; why are they not in Benin, Warri or Port Harcourt where traffic situations are still a nightmare? Their activities give credence to the suggestion that too many agencies of the government have lost their relevance and ability to remain solvent and rather than abolish such agencies, they hit the streets with obnoxious demands which further burden the people by their nefarious attempts to make money by all means.
GOD bless Nigeria.
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