Gridlock: FG to deploy 200 security personnel to Tin Can, Apapa Ports
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By Dirisu Yakubu
THE Federal Government, yesterday, promised to deploy 200 security personnel to clear the gridlock at the Tin Can Island and Apapa area of Lagos, and also enforce compliance on heavy-duty trucks not to park on the roads.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this during a meeting with Maritime stakeholders and Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MWUN, in Lagos.
The union had threatened to go on strike if the government failed to address the gridlock on the route.
The minister, however, noted that a steering committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, would meet monthly, until the challenges were overcome.
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Authorities of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Sokoto Zone has deployed 1,120 personnel in the zone for Christmas celebration.
The Acting Zonal Commandant, Muhammad Kabo, further disclosed that in addition to the personnel deployed, another set of 405 special Marshals was deployed to complement the efforts of the personnel.
The Acting Zonal Commandant, who is also the Sector Commander of Sokoto office, revealed this while speaking with newsmen in his office on Thursday.
He explained that the personnel, as well as the Special Marshals, were deployed to churches, recreational centres as well some flashpoints to maintain the flow of traffic during the festive season.
Three people have been confirmed killed and 33 others injured, in a road crash on Gwachipe Bridge, Lambatta in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The crash occurred on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state.
The Sector Commander of the Corps, Joel Dagwa confirmed the accident to Channels Television.
He said the lone accident involved a trailer carrying 36 passengers onboard plus the driver who was travelling from Kano to Lagos via Niger.
According to Dagwa, preliminary investigation showed that the driver was on a high speed, which led to the loss of control and then the crash.
Some security experts in Nigeria have aired their voices in support of allowing road safety officials in Nigeria to carry arms while on duty. According to a security expert Salah Bala based in the capital, Abuja the officers under the name Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are exposed to criminality on a daily basis and hence, should be authorized to carry arms (Pistols).
He added that “there is nothing wrong arming them especially against current security challenges. They can be issued sidearms and should be well trained in arms handling on regular basis,”
The Public Relation Officer of the Corps Bisi Kareem refused to comment on the issue stating that it is a policy matter. However, speaking with the Sector commander of the Abuja command, Ayuba Gora during the flagging off of the mobile speed limit within the capital, he said the officials encounter big challenges in dealing with motorists on the highways.
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, the President Buhari-led federal government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), announced that mobile phone subscribers who are yet to link their phone numbers or SIMS to their National Identification Numbers (NIN) would have their lines blocked.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who is the Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, the commission said:
Telcos or network providers are required to get all their subscribers to provide valid NIN in order to update SIM registration records.
The submission of NIN by subscribers will take place within two weeks (from December 16 to December 30, 2020).
After the deadline, all SIMs without NINs will be blocked from the networks.