By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

To curtail the wanton destruction of government property by reckless road users, the Ondo State Ministry of Transport today organised a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure.

Addressing the gathering, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Transportation, Akogun Olugbenga Omole, informed that the purpose of installing road furniture is not only to serve as a guide for driving or riding on the road but also to beautify it.

He, however, noted that the rate at which these road furnishings and other government facilities are being destroyed across the state by major road users, either deliberately or through negligence, without making provisions for the repair or replacement of these damaged facilities, is worrisome and calls for immediate attention.

According to him, the damage inflicted on roads and public infrastructure is not only costly to repair but also jeopardises the safety and well-being of every citizen, which requires a collective effort and a shared commitment to responsible citizenship.

He stressed the need for unwavering determination towards ensuring that those who recklessly damage public property face swift and just consequences, including stricter penalties and a zero-tolerance approach to vandalism.

He called on stakeholders at the meeting, including Transport Unions, to encourage drivers to adopt safe and courteous driving practices, while motor mechanics and panel beaters should foster a sense of ownership and responsibility by reporting vandalism, especially when vehicles involved in the destruction of government property or facilities are brought to them for repair.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olufemi Aladenola, said that there is a law against the act, which would be fully enforced, calling on all hands to be on deck to protect public property for the state to thrive.

The Commandant of the Road Safety Corps, Dr Samuel Ibitoye, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who was represented by the Deputy, Tiamiyu Abimbola, as well as the representative of the Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders, commended the state government for organising the meeting to chart a way forward.

According to them, the consequences of failing to abide by rules and regulations are enormous, hence the need for people to ensure behavioural changes to enhance development.

The guest lecturer at the event, Wemimo Ajegbemiga (Esq), maintained that the destruction of government property by reckless drivers is a serious issue that affects not only infrastructure but also the financial resources of the government.

He highlighted government infrastructures usually affected by reckless driving, including road signs and markings, guardrails and crash barriers, streetlights and traffic signals, bridges and highway infrastructure, dual carriageways, and roundabouts, often caused by speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, particularly using phones while driving, among other factors.

To mitigate these issues, he recommended enhancing road safety measures, implementing stricter traffic laws and enforcement, conducting public awareness campaigns, improving road design and maintenance, promoting vehicle safety inspections, encouraging responsible driving, and maintaining road sanity, among other actions.

Stakeholders at the event, in separate interviews, affirmed that the meeting was an eye-opener and promised to sensitise their members to address the menace.