By Ogechi Okorie
Abuja (Precise Post) – Federal lawmaker representing, Ileoluji Okeibo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, Ondo state, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayowa Samuel has debunked online publication to the effect that he is sponsoring a bill that Road Safety Corps should bear arms, saying it is attempt by his political opponents who are envious of his rising political profile to cause disaffection between him and his constituents.
Hon Akinfolarin said he would have ordinarily not dignify the false assertion with a reply but have decided to give the necessary clarifications over the statement as mark of respect for those who voted for him.
In the the statement made available to Precise Post in reaction to the false statement on Saturday, Hon. Akinfolarin stated as follows:
It has become imperative for me to give necessary clarifications over a statement credited to me, and as a mark of respect for those who voted for me, I wish to state categorically as follows that;
I, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayowa Samuel, do not have a Motion nor a Bill pending on the subject matter. What was reported concerning the meeting held between FRSC and the House Committee on FRSC was a misrepresentation of my view and position on the subject matter.
In the said meeting, I made it abundantly clear that the eradication of accidents and protection of lives and properties on our roads is a collective responsibility of every citizen of Nigeria.
While it is important to protect the lives and properties of road users, it is equally important to protect that of law enforcement agents on the road. It is two sides of a coin, as the lives of road users matters, so also the law enforcement agent lives matters too and no responsible and responsive government will allow the lives of citizens to be endangered.
As stakeholders, we must all look for ways of ensuring the safety of our people by coming together to cross-fertilized ideas on how to eradicate accidents on our roads and as well protect the lives and ensure adequate security of both the road users and the law enforcement agents.
I suggested a committee should be setup that will comprise the Executive, Commission (FRSC), and National Assembly to look into how we can help the Road Safety Personnel in carrying out their civic duties without molestation or harassment by unruly road users.
It will sound very unreasonable for me to move a motion or sponsor a bill for bearing Arms to FRSC officers when we already have the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007.
On a final note, I will like to appreciate those who took time to call me to seek clarification, criticize constructively and otherwise, as it is the beauty of participatory democracy.
Thank you all and God bless Nigeria.
