Advocacy on road traffic law, moderation in drinking is catching on, says Fashola: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday took the State Motor Park Health Safety Screening Initiative to the Iyana Ipaja Motor Park, with an assertion that the advocacy on road traffic law and moderation in drinking is already catching on.
Governor Fashola who spoke at the Iyana Ipaja Motor Park before a gathering of drivers, transporters, transport union leaders and medical personnel added that he has already taken the campaign on Motor Park Safety Initiative to two other motor parks namely Iddo and Ojota and is still continuing.
He added that from the tests already carried out in the last few days in Iyana- Ipaja, it is observed that there is a very encouraging reduction in the incidence of substance abuse, and level of alcohol in the blood which is the lowest when compared with Iddo and Ojota.
"The result of what we see will inform us and determine what is the permissible level of alcohol in the blood. We cannot say don't drink at all. Our message is drink responsibly and there must be a level at which you are deemed to no longer be responsible".
"When we get to that scientific level, we will share it with you in the public and that would be the bar of enforcement", Governor Fashola stated.
He explained that the Motor Park safety screening is aimed at ensuring that the two silent killer diseases of Hypertension and Diabetes are detected early to prevent them from resulting in blindness, kidney damage and massive stroke.
He said the campaign came to the Motor Parks because most of the time when the government embarked upon the community health programme during which tests are carried out for diabetes and hypertension, the transport operators would be in the motor parks.
He reiterated that the screening being provided for the transport operators at the Iyana- Ipaja Motor Park is free but has been bankrolled by the State Government from the taxes paid by the people.
Governor Fashola informed that the State as part of the provisions of the State Traffic law has also introduced the use of Breathalyzers to determine the level of alcohol and psychotropic substance in the blood system of a driver at a particular point in time.
The Governor who also spoke on some of the provisions of the State Traffic law said the law forbids smoking while driving just as it is forbidden for a driver to use the phone while driving, stressing that each time a driver tries to use one hand to handle the steering and use the other to engage in some other activities, he loses concentration which could have fatal consequences.
He also debunked insinuations that the Traffic Law is an avenue to make money for the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) through the payment of fines, asking: "How much money can we make from you. This is not about politics but about your life. Your fines cannot fund the budget of Lagos State. But your prosperity and its growth can develop the economy of Lagos in a much more fundamental way. And that is the big picture that we see"
He added that there is a split second within which an accident could occur on the road due to lack of concentration, stating that each time a motorist embarks upon a journey, the prayer of all those waiting for him at home is to get home safely.
The State Governor thanked the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for embracing the programme on healthcare by ensuring that members of the union participate in it.
He gave kudos to Guinness Nigeria Plc which is an alcohol beverage brewing giant for agreeing to partner with Lagos State on the responsible drinking campaign despite the fact that the mainstay of the company is alcohol.
The Governor sought to know why the people would be very reluctant to take a flight on a plane that is piloted by a heavily drunk pilot but would be less concerned about a land bus driver who has a heavy dose of drugs or alcohol in his system, adding that both constitute form of transportation.
Governor Fashola also thanked renowned actor, Prince Jide Kosoko and his fellow Nollywood Stars who organized a drama session for driving home the message on avoiding alcohol while driving.
He also launched a home video titled: "Emi Olaaro" produced by Prince Jide Kosoko which is about the dangers of commercial drivers who engage in abuse of drugs and psychotropic drugs and urged the people to watch the movie and spread the message.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the Motor Park Health Safety Initiative Screening helps in checking the sights of drivers through vision screening, testing for diabetes and hypertension as well as testing of alcohol level and providing health talks.
He said it will raise awareness at motor parks for commercial drivers and more importantly for the passengers they carry and other road users. "We all know that road accident is common in Nigeria and has been declared an epidemic worldwide", he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation. Mr Kayode Opeifa said the screening programme was brought to the Iyana Ipaja Motor Park for the benefit of the operators in the transport sector so that they can be better drivers and live longer.
He also called on those who continue to sell alcohol and mixtures of different hard drugs and psychotropic drugs to desist from the act because for as long as they do that they endanger the lives of the transporters.
The Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Seni Adetu in his address, said his company is committed to creating awareness about responsible alcohol consumption and promoting the enjoyment of alcohol as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle.
He added that as part of this objective, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to promote responsible consumption and expressed the hope that it will go a long way in achieving the mutual objective.
In a message of goodwill, the State Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union, Mr Mattew Oloko expressed gratitude to the State Government for coming to the Parks with the provision of the free medical screening.
The ceremony was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs) Yewande Adeshina, the Chairmen of Alimosho Local Government, Mr Shola Adekunle and Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, Hon Rasheed Mafe, market leaders and operators in the transport sector.
Images Via Lagos Indicator FB Page
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