Sometime last week, the emergency response unit in Lagos, Nigeria proved its inefficiency. An accident took place on the Oshodi-Apapa Express Way on Thursday the 22nd November 2018. According to eye witnesses, the vehicle behind hit the other causing it to somersault almost to the other lane of the express. One fatal injury was recorded of a middle aged man who was already ill as prescribed drugs were found in his pocket.
Bystanders swiftly called 112 and 911, the designated number assigned to the emergency response unit but after more than 30 minutes none of the units was on the scene. The injured man at this point had already died, possibly due to internal injuries and other health related issues.
Lagos policemen and custom officers came to the scene and left in minutes. Passersby with the help of a young military officer took charge of the situation by directing traffic from the accident spot.
About 45 minutes to an hour later, the emergency response unit finally got to the scene of the accident. The part that annoyed me the most was that these operatives only wrapped the deceased and left him by the roadside. But towed the vehicle affected away.
Civilians again to the rescue as they began taking pictures of the deceased with the intention of reaching out to relatives or family through social media. Maybe if the response unit had arrived earlier the man wouldn’t have died.
Citizens are concerned about the efficiency of governmental agencies designed to serve the people. Taxes are being paid, funds are budgeted for such services but no improvement. We deserve for a better system.
By Anthony Ambrose
