The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the Executive Arm of Government to erect traffic signs and symbols at major and inner roads across the state in order to provide necessary information to road users and protect them from extortion and embarrassment by law enforcement agencies.
The plea was part of the resolve by the House on a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Akinyele 1, Monsuru Abiola, and seconded by Daud Olalere of Ibadan North West State Contituency.
Presenting the motion during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, the lawmaker observed that the provision of adequate information, through road signs and symbols on major roads across the state, will go a long way in curtailing the rate of ignorance about the rules and regulations that guide driving and other activities on major roads.
Abiola stated: “The problem with road users, especially private and commercial drivers, is usually about non-observance of traffic rules and regulations, coupled with non-strict enforcement by the traffic regulatory agencies of government, although some drivers, at times, do not understand some of the traffic signs and symbols which were part of the prerequisite for obtaining driver’s license in the olden days.”
He noted that there is the need for government to ensure strict enforcement and compliance so as to curb the nonchalant attitude of road users.
“Government has a major role to play in this regard in terms of strengthening enforcement strategies on traffic regulation mechanism. Government needs to holistically address the issue of traffic symbols to be put on major roads and inner roads within the state, especially in Ibadan, the capital,” he argued.
Abiola noted that with the unprecedented achievements recorded on road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation under Omituntun 1.0 and 2.0 by the state government in bridging infrastructure gaps in the state, it is appropriate to enrich the laudable effort and guard the roads properly.
He stated: “It is expedient to complement his efforts by providing necessary traffic signs and symbols on these roads through the relevant government agencies for maximum enjoyment and benefit of roads users.”
The lawmakers however enjoined the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) to strengthen its enforcement mechanism toward apprehending road users and drivers that fail to observe and follow traffic signs and symbols in the state.
