Nigeria’s chaotic megacity Lagos on Wednesday imposed a one-day ban on the use of the car horn, hoping to raise awareness about damaging noise pollution and improve quality of life.
The occasional honk still rang out on the crowded streets of the country’s financial capital yet drivers, public transport users and pedestrians said they noticed that things were a bit quieter.
A NigerianEye reporter however observed that hunderds of VIO and Lastma officials were placed at strategic locations around the metropolis to urge motorists not to use the horn.
Most of the traffic officials were also seen with note pads, taking down records of the number of motorists that failed to abide by the "No horn" rule.
Many motorists around Victoria Island, Ikoyi axis also relatively obeyed the no horn rule.
However NigerianEye observed that a police van with registration number BU 917 AGL around 11:05am in Surulere blasted its horn harassing and overtaking several motorists to gain easy passage during the traffic jam.
The horn free day declaration marks the beginning of efforts of the state government to reduce the use of horn in the mega city or to totally transform the state into a Horn Free state as practiced in some big cities around the world.
Some cities around the globe use similar approach, thereby recording improvements on their road traffic systems, for example, Koramangala, India adopted a ‘No Horn Mondays’ initiative in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board which has so far shown impressive success.
The introduction of this initiative was announced at the 1st Lagos Drivers’ Appreciation Day which held on October 9th with the Commissioner for Transport – Comrade Kayode Opeifa and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola as one of the distinguished guest.
The Governor and his Commissioner in their speech stated that the essence of curbing the excessive noise pollution in Lagos to its barest minimum was to further portray Lagos as the Centre of Excellence.
In addition, the Commissioner also highlighted that the implementation of this great initiative will build a paradigm and gradually, a horn free consciousness would be developed.
He therefore admonished transporters, private car owners and Okada riders as well as all motorists to support the government in ensuring this initiative is highly achieved through stringent loyalty to the innovation. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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In Nigeria it maybe difficult to implement because those charge with enforcing and implementing it will be the ones breaking the law- all arms of the security agencies hence the law maybe null and void.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe it can not be done here. It only require our commitment. If it is possible in some parts of the world it is also possible here.
ReplyDelete