In a renewed effort to reduce road crashes and enhance the safety of lives and property, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) has commissioned a Traffic Enlightenment Centre in Ota Division, Ogun West Senatorial District.
The facility, described as a critical component of TRACE’s preventive and compliance-driven approach to traffic management, was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by TRACE officials, sister security and safety agencies, members of the media and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, TRACE Public Relations Officer, Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the centre was established to educate and sensitise road users before, during and after traffic incidents, noting that most road crashes are preventable through adequate awareness and information.
“The centre is created for the promotion and sustenance of lives and property. Accidents and crashes have causes, and before they occur, there must be education and sensitisation. Even after they occur, enlightenment remains essential,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that the integration of technology and structured public education at the centre would help reduce crash-related fatalities along major traffic corridors in Ogun State, particularly within the Ogun West axis.
Also speaking, the Most Senior TRACE Commander, Chief Traffic Officer, Elias Omonayajo, said the commissioning of the centre coincided with activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ogun State and underscored the agency’s philosophy of compliance before enforcement.
“As a traffic compliance and enforcement agency, compliance comes first. There must be a place where road users are properly educated and acquainted with traffic rules before, during and even after apprehension,” Omonayajo said.
He disclosed that TRACE has strengthened its post-crash investigation framework by deploying officers to all zonal commands to investigate the causes of road crashes and develop preventive strategies.
“After a crash, there must be investigation. Officers have been posted to the zonal commands to investigate crashes within their areas, determine their causes and enlighten the public to prevent future occurrences,” he said.
According to him, investigations will focus on factors such as road conditions, vehicle defects and environmental issues, with findings forwarded to relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies for necessary action.
“We value life, and TRACE was created to ensure the elongation of the lives of our citizens. That is why crash investigation representatives have been established across the zones,” Omonayajo added.
He noted that three officers have currently been deployed to each zonal command, with plans to expand the initiative as more personnel become available.
TRACE officials at the event also urged the Ogun West Command to intensify efforts aimed at reducing road crashes within its jurisdiction.
In his response, the Zonal TRACE Commander for Ogun West, Commander Ajibade Adekunle, assured that the command would prioritise public enlightenment, particularly in schools.
“We plan to distribute enlightenment materials and reflective jackets to schools and organise train-the-trainers programmes for teachers and key education officers,” Adekunle said.
Clarifying issues on crash investigation procedures, Omonayajo explained that TRACE would work in synergy with other safety agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police.
“All agencies will collaborate to unravel the causes of crashes and avert future occurrences. Reports will be collated and forwarded through the Ministry of Transportation to relevant authorities such as the Ministries of Works or Environment for policy and corrective action,” he said.
He added that crash data and investigation findings would be harmonised and released through a single official channel to ensure consistency and coordinated response.
Other officers also present at the event, include the TRACE Director of Administration and Supply, Alhaji Abdullah Adeduntan, Corridor Commander, Ota, Ijako, and Ijoko, Commander Olaoke Victoria, Ota Divisional Commander, Commander Hammed Salau, and a host of others.
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