Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday re-echoed his dislike for the use of siren by public office holders, calling on those in the authority to develop and implement policies that would render the usage of sirens needless in the country.
Fashola's appeal came few days after another avoidable accident that claimed the life of the former President of the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, who was killed in an auto crash involving the convoy of the Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, last on Tuesday.
The governor's convoy had collided with ASUU's bus in which the professor and other union leaders were travelling to Kano to attend the union's congress, where a decision was to be taken on when the union would suspend its nationwide strike that has been on since July.
Speaking on the rot in the nation's transportation system and the attitude of those in positions of authority at the ongoing 13th National Council on Transport, Governor Fashola queried the need for the use of siren by political office holders, if they had developed sustainable policies that make transportation in the country friendly and that can compete in the 21st century.
Fashola bemoaned the rate at which every Tom, Dick and Harry blare the siren, saying the situation where many unqualified people use siren at will, portends dangers for the nation's security.
He said: "I wonder how many of us have paused to ask even the damage to health by the public transport sector choices that we have made; mostly by the way we drive. "For instance, looking at the road transport policy, can you imagine in one of our state capitals, one day without blasting a car horn? Can we imagine how lovely that day will be? And this is possible.
"It is because we haven't done the basic things, that is, train drivers appropriately, punish those who break the law. Can we set for ourselves a day in a state without blasting the horns? "Let us get rid of all these sirens. They aren't made here. We buy them to enrich other economies. They were made in factories outside the country. And then we use a loud horn, especially the one used during emergencies, we complicate issues.
"Are we in a state of perpetual emergency? If those who manage the public transport policy can get away by using sirens, it will never work. "From the day that I have become governor in this state and until this moment, I haven't had course to use it and I don't intend to use it. I detest noise, but I think that it is even worse that people elect us to manage public transport on their behalf and we choose to escape from it.
"After riding in a free car paid for by the people coupled with the free fuel, it is an abdication of duty. It must apply across the board. At least at the state level, I can speak. My commissioners have very cleared order; they will lose their job if they do."
The governor said continuous usage of siren aids kidnapping in the country, the security personnel could not even detect who the occupants of the siren blaring vehicles, let alone protecting the occupants.
The governor, however, called for the creation of an enabling environment that enables the private sector to find public transportation attractive as a business in which they can put their resources and invest their time.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Idris Umar, said arrangements have been concluded to explore and improve all available means of transportation in the country, saying works are ongoing on revitalisation of the country's railway system.