OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, Ota Divisional Command, has commenced efforts at consolidating its road safety advocacy work with the laying of foundation for the construction of an enlightenment centre at the Command's yard.
According to Cdr. Salau Hammed, the Ota Divisional Commander; educating the entire spectrum of road users on traffic matters is a core function of the Agency, throwing up the need to put such structures and strategies in place to enhance successful delivery of the function.
The Divisional Commander further explained that the decision to build the enlightenment centre came as a directive from Cdr. Elias Omonayajo, the most senior officer in the Agency, who called for increase in traffic education, sensitization and enlightenment to boost compliance to traffic laws and regulations.
At the foundation laying ceremony, Cdr Salau, said the centre will serve as a venue for communicating and disseminating the rudiments of road safety to traffic offenders and non offenders alike with the aim to shore up compliance levels and reduce the level of traffic offences, road crashes injuries, carnage and deaths.
"Our goal is to fully use the enlightenment centre to improve the level of compliance to traffic regulations, offender education, counselling and a kind of a correctional space for recalcitrant offenders, knowing that our Agency focuses more on advocacy more than in the enforcement of the rules, signalling our approach of meting more of corrective measures than punitive ones to traffic offenders.
"I also use this occasion to appreciate the encouragement we received from the TRACE
Management team both at the headquarters and particularly from Cdr. Ajibade Adekunle, the TRACE Zonal Commander for Ogun West and the various corporate organisations cum individuals who contributed something or the other to ensure the structure is started." He said.
Adding that the Division is opened for more donations and support from spirited individuals whose reach out will expedite the completion of the project, while positioning the Agency to achieve on its set objectives.
Expressing hope that the project would be completed this year, and the stakeholders would be called again for the official inauguration.
Speaking at the occasion, Cdr Victoria Olaoke, TRACE Corridor Commander, Ota, Ijoko and Ijako, noted that the laying of the foundation was symbolic as it is happening during the 'Ember Months', associated with increased and heavy flow of vehicular and human movement.
Stressing that TRACE believes in enlightenment as a key component in road traffic management and the Division is placing premium attention on this aspect among others.
"We are to keep creating road safety awareness and sensitization because it is through this that we can improve road safety education for motorists and other categories of road users". She added.
Stakeholders from the leadership of motorcycle, tricycle, articulated and other transport unions witnessed the foundation laying ceremony, and they all gave their support to the initiative, describing it "as a good idea and an impactful project which will add up to other road safety measures."
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