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Why I control traffic – DPO

Motorists plying the Iyana-Ipaja-Ayobo and Iyana-Ipaja-Egbeda axis of Lagos State are now having stress-free drive to work and back home against the perennial early morning and late evening gridlock.

Nigerian police

Motorists plying the Iyana-Ipaja-Ayobo and Iyana-Ipaja-Egbeda axis of Lagos State are now having stress-free drive to work and back home against the perennial early morning and late evening gridlock.

The situation has often left many motor vehicles broken down and led to squabbles that arise from argument over who has hit the other’s vehicle, leading to police cases.

The situation also worsens the gridlock and put commuters and drivers’ health in jeopardy as the vehicles are abandoned on the roads till the matter is resolved with the police.

In the midst of these predicaments, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gowon Estate Police Station, Mr Festus Otabor, is seen directing traffic to ease the gridlock.

Asked why he controls traffic, Otabor says it is to resolve the crises clogging movement by freeing the roads which in turn reduces the associated disputes.

“I’m spurred to control traffic to ensure commuters plying the Iyana-Ipaja-Ayobo and Iyana-Ipaja-Egbeda-Ikotun routes do not suffer unnecessary delays going to work or their respective business,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Otabor told NAN that on assumption to office as the DPO, he observed regular gridlock on the roads, especially at the roundabout at Masalasi bus stop at Gowon Estate area.

The Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) noted that the gridlock was particularly at the Masalasi roundabout and that it was mostly caused by reckless driving and broken down vehicles.

“Between the hours of 5 to 7.30 a.m, the area witnesses huge number of vehicles coming from the Ipaja and Ayabo and Egbeda arteries.

“In most cases, those going to work and businesses during the rush hours eventually get themselves trapped in the morning traffic for hours.

“This situation makes it extremely difficult for the road users to get to their destinations on time.

“I personally thought it wise to take over the control of traffic myself, while I deploy some of my officers to some junctions within the area,’’ he said.

Otabor, however, complained of the reckless driving by commercial busses and tricycle operators whom he described as worse than the
commercial motorcyclists.

“As a result of this, I have instructed their associations to inform them to always keep to the right lane when they are on the road.

“By doing this, it will help to reduce traffic obstructions,’’ he said.

Otabor also called for regular dialogue between the residents of the area and the police on how to promote community policing.

He said that the involvement of the residents would further give room for effective crime control.

The DPO observed that the many inlets and outlets in the area created room for criminals to come in and escape, saying they were major a
challenge confronting the Police Station.

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