Prior to the start of operations at the newly commissioned bus terminals at Ojoo and Challenge, Ibadan, the Oyo State Government organized a two-day orientation program for fleet managers, transporters and other bus terminal users.
The Director General of Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA), Mr. Ayoade Adeoye, who was representing the Executive Chairman, Mogaji Akin Fagbemi at the event, said the program is aimed to guide all terminal users on the proper use of facilities and how to behave, especially during operating hours, with the goal of transforming the transportation system and boosting the state’s economy.
He said: ‘We got them together today to give them health advice, safety advice, to let them know the new attitude they need to have because you can’t compare this place to their old garages and former places where they carried passengers. . It’s a modern setup that needs some sort of new direction.
One of the speakers at the event, the representative of National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Titilope Asiru advised terminal users against drug use and abuse, noting that the Drug dealers should not be allowed on terminal premises.
She also advised that passengers should be well supervised to guard against anyone attempting to smuggle incriminating substances into the terminals.
She said: We recommend that they try to ensure that they search passengers and their luggage very well, they should not be looking for money. They should know who they are transporting and set up some sort of monitoring unit that will monitor passengers who may be using drugs.
For his part, Chairman, Park Management System in the State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as the Auxiliary, highlighted the campaign to ban smoking in the terminal, while also advising users, especially drivers to ensure that their buses are in good condition.
Lamidi said: “They should make good use of this place so that the Governor will be impressed to do even more. It’s for our good and if we do well, the governor will build another better one for us. My advice to drivers is many. The first is that smoking is not allowed here.
“Second, they need to ensure their buses are in good condition and fit and third, the drivers need to have good approach and communication skills.”
Further, Consultant/Operations Manager of Ibadan Bus Terminals, Mr. Foluso Olubakinde explained that the orientation is needed as the terminal is a new transport system in the state, hence the need for familiarize users with the process and operational plan in the terminal, so that they can understand the concept of the terminal.
“The reason we organized this event is for us to reorient the pilots. We know they know their job but facility and terminal management is a new thing for drivers and we need to have some discussion so they can familiarize themselves with the process and operational plan in terminals so that they can understand the concept of the terminal.
Olubakinde disclosed that the Governor, having realized the need for proper facility management, said that government agencies that would secure the facilities and ensure the safety of terminal users and operators within the terminal, would be part of the guidance so that everyone would work together to make better use of the terminal.
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