Lagos offers free eye care to 10,000 truck drivers
…offers free Lasdri training to 2000 commercial drivers The Lagos State Government has rolled out a sweeping health and safety programme for professional drivers across the state, with 10,000 truck
…offers free Lasdri training to 2000 commercial drivers
The Lagos State Government has rolled out a sweeping health and safety programme for professional drivers across the state, with 10,000 truck and commercial drivers expected to benefit from free eye care, medical checks and substance abuse screenings.
The programme, initiated by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, is scheduled to run from February 9 to 12 across four major centres - Iyana Iba, Obalende, Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lilly Pond Bonded Terminal in Apapa.
Adekoya said the initiative was conceived to tackle long standing occupational health challenges faced by drivers, especially those operating heavy duty trucks that service Lagos ports and industrial corridors.
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He added that the Governor’s THEMES Plus Agenda places a premium on traffic safety, driver welfare and social inclusion.
“This is a government that is committed to prevention and safety,” he said. “Our drivers are at the centre of the economy. When they are healthy and alert, our roads are safer and our logistics chain runs better.”
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Adekoya noted that the broad goal is to ensure that every driver departing Lagos ports, depots and parks is physically fit, mentally alert and visually capable of safely navigating the roads.
He urged transport owners and unions to mobilise drivers to designated centres. “This is for the good of all road users. A fit driver means a safer Lagos,” he said.
At the flag off, drivers underwent free eye screening, medical consultation and corrective lens assessment. Many of them were encountering formal eye tests for the first time.
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For Vision Spring, one of the key partners delivering the intervention, the initiative is timely. Country Manager of Vision Spring Nigeria, Mrs Abimbola Ogundirahun, said the organisation agreed to partner with Lagos because of the state’s forward looking posture on health and safety.
“We intend to cover at least 10,000 drivers. Corrective glasses will be given free of charge, courtesy of the government,” she added.
The narcotics screening component drew strong commendation from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Lagos Controller of Narcotics, Assistant Commander Mulikat Dick, warned that substance abuse undermines drivers’ judgment and endangers passengers.
“When a driver is impaired, everyone in the vehicle is at risk. This initiative is about protecting society,” she said.
The government also added a major capacity building boost with an approval for the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) to train 2000 commercial drivers free of charge within 48 hours. Director General of LASDRI, Mrs Afusat Tiamiyu, said the training would focus on safety, traffic discipline and modern driving standards.
“Drivers are not ordinary people. They are essential to the economy. That is why the Governor mandated free training for 2000 of them immediately,” she said.
Stakeholders from transport unions welcomed the programme. Lagos State Chairman of NARTO, Alhaji Kayode Odunowo, described it as a landmark effort, noting that no such initiative had been seen in more than four decades. “We are grateful. Our members are turning out in good numbers because they know this benefits them,” he said.
Chairman of the Amalgamation of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) praised the consistency of the state, recalling that a similar sensitisation was held last year. He expressed confidence that the combined interventions - drug test, eye test and safety orientation - would reduce container related crashes along port corridors.
