In this interview with PMparrotng.com and Parrot Xtra’s KUNLE GAZALI, Mr. Okanlawon Bamgboye, Commandant-General of the Road Accident Information and Rescue Organization reveals what led to the formation of the organization, its relationship with government rescue agencies as well as the challenges facing RAIRO. Excerpt:
Let us meet you sir?
My name is Okanlawon Bamigboye, I am the Commandant-General of Road Accident Information and Rescue Organization.
What is the ideology behind this organization, how did it start?
Road Accident Information and Rescue Organization was established nine years ago, and the major purpose of its establishment was to advocate for safety consciousness and to ameliorate the sufferings of unfortunate road users, particularly road accident victims. The situation of unpleasant road crisis has become a cause of worry. Each year, thousands of newly injured and bereaved people from every corner of the country are added to the countless millions already suffering as a result of road crisis. So, as a result of this, we discovered the need to work hand in hand with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police and other rescue agencies in order to comply with the United Nations advocacy to reduce accident rate by 50% between year 2010 and 2020, and that is what we have been working on.
From what you just said, it can be seen that your organization has been working with government’s agencies like FRSC and some others, how will you describe the relationship?
Our relationship with FRSC is very cordial, it is not only with FRSC but also with the Nigerian Police, VIO, NSCDC and Fire. Whenever there is any accident situation they normally call us to request for assistance and we are doing our best to support them by making sure that the situation is put to rest and this cuts across all the rescue agencies.
Is there any official recognition from governments at all levels?
Yes, we are duly recognized by government. This is because we are actually registered with the government and this shows that we are certified to undertake this task since we started nine years ago. Since that time we have been working closely with other rescue and security agencies.
Let us talk about funding, how have you been going about this?
Concerning the funding of the organization, actually all the offices we are using were provided by government, while other expenses are incurred by members of the organization. We have Rescue Marshals and whenever we are in need of financial support, they are the people making the money available. They are the people providing support for the running of this control centre, because this is where we receive emergency phone calls from members of the public.
What is motivating you and your people?
In the first instance, who knows the next victims? We are being motivated by the assignment itself, when we talk of rescuing of lives in our society, it is honourable and it is a work once done by a good Samaritan in the Bible. So, I believe that nobody will see any accident on the road and run away without rendering necessary assistance. That is the only thing that is motivating us, just to make sure we save lives. It is a thing of joy within oneself.
What are the benefits of this organization so far?
Thank you, at Road Accident Information and Rescue Organization we have established emergency rescue information control centre, where we receive incoming calls from members of the public for rescue assistance on road accident, fire disaster or any other unfortunate incident. And immediately we receive such information we will swiftly send our medical marshals team to the scene and at the same time call other government rescue agencies for more assistance that is one. We were also able to design Emergency Data Rescue Card, which I will call multipurpose card. This Emergency Data Rescue Card whenever there is any accident on our roads hardly you will see anything that will identify victims or to assist them in locating their next of kin or members of their family, particularly medical information of victims.
This card will assist medical personnel not only to locate or contact families of victims but also to know their health status, particularly when victims are unable to communicate. These people will help to make pertinent decisions on behalf of the victims.
There is relevant information at the back of the card such as emergency phone numbers you call for assistance. Another thing is that we normally organize on regular basis road safety campaign for drivers and other road users. We do this campaign in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police, Fire Service, VIO, Civil Defense and all other rescue agencies. We normally move from one park to another to advocate for safety consciousness whenever we are on the road. We are not only receiving phone calls on road accident situation alone, we also receive distress telephone calls or information on security related issues from member of the public. Immediately we receive this call at our control centre we transfer the information to the appropriate rescue agencies particularly police and Civil Defense.
What is the level of distribution of the Emergency Data Rescue Card?
Well, generally we have distributed a lot of it even before the official introduction to the public last year. The level of patronage is high not only in Oyo State but throughout Nigeria. This is because we have extended our service to other states in the country, so, our service is not limited to Oyo State but throughout the federation. The distribution is still ongoing so that everybody will have access to it.
How far is the tentacle of the organization in the country?
The organization covers the whole 36 states of the federation and the Emergency Control Centre as well receives calls and information throughout all the federating units including federal capital.
So far, how will you describe peoples’ support towards the organization?
I just want to use this medium to thank the general public for their support particularly when we talk about information. We receive a lot of information from the general public and will thank them for that, because without information, what can we do? The task we are into relies so much on their information and I am still imploring them to continue to support us in order to save more lives.
Apart from funding what are the other challenges facing the organization?
We have so many challenges, and one of them is ambulance service. We don’t have enough vehicles to us for ambulance services to carry out our duties, we are the first respondents, and whenever there is any road accident we are the first to get there, even before we inform other rescue agencies for further assistance. We also need other equipment that can encourage us in carrying out the task.
What are your expectations?
We want government to see to the problem on our roads in order to reduce the rate of road traffic, we want government to make our roads functional and as well improve on our infrastructures to meet with international standard.
