Naija’s missed governance and job opportunities (I)
Very often, readers have challenged us critics not just to lampoon the monumental ineptitude of governance in our country, but to provide clues to arrest the slide, create opportunities by pointing at where and how we got it all wrong. Things are worse for people like us who write humour, because it is often esoteric […]
Very often, readers have challenged us critics not just to lampoon the monumental ineptitude of governance in our country, but to provide clues to arrest the slide, create opportunities by pointing at where and how we got it all wrong. Things are worse for people like us who write humour, because it is often esoteric and people miss the lessons. Starting this week and occasionally, I hope to draw from the differences I see in governance and how other systems run where I live or visit either physically or visually. In doing this, it is hoped that government or those interested in politics of governance would take the gauntlet and run with it. It is equally hoped that it interests readers enough to respond and request for clarification in areas needing clarification. If we collaborate, we might be able to cash in on missed opportunities and make governance better and more impactful on the people.
On December 30, 2017, my family hoped to make the ten minutes drive to church. Halfway down in the freezing cold and looking at the church building just ahead, we discovered that the bridge linking our part of town had been closed down both ways and traffic was being diverted through other exit and entry routes. We made a detour and arrived us at least 10 minutes late for service. From the distance, we could glean an accident. A card had skidded off the road, jumped over the divider and most probably crashed into an oncoming vehicle.
Two things could be conjectured – the car had no snow tyres or it might be speeding. It was minus 25 or so and the roads were slippery requiring the right type of traction and tact. When accidents occur in Ottawa, the Canadian capital, several things are involved. First, the driver knows that it is an offense to leave the scene of the accident. Passersby without current First Aid certification know that it is costly to try to interfere in any way. But then, they are obliged under law to do what is best – call 911. Upon receipt of a 911 call, the operator asks basic questions and because the fire service, the paramedics and the City of Ottawa police share the same radio frequency, usually all three appear on the scene within minutes. The area of the accident is cordoned off if the accident is serious until accident-scene-investigators have plotted the graphs. Sometimes, it could take several minutes, sometimes hours. Those involved in the accident are examined and assessed; the critically injured are ambulanced to the hospital for immediate care. Usually, the story makes it to the next bulletin of radio news because the media, especially electronic news media here work hand in hand; give regular traffic and weather updates to help citizens in their daily chores.
Paramedics as their title imply are not medical doctors or nurses. They are trained in handling little and sometimes-complex issues. By their training, they are a notch up Naija’s auxiliary nurses. Where the crash is ghastly, they radio for air evacuation. Canadian public hospitals have helipads allowing for easy evacuation of emergency cases where on-call doctors are on hand to handle such cases. A lot goes into hospital administration that a piece like this would last a year for expert discussion even for an observer.
Two things needed to be said here, drivers are obliged to have insurance – they range from third party to comprehensive, their validity are linked to police and city databases such that when you drive, an officer of the law could pull you over if your insurance has lapsed. Their computerized vehicles could detect offenders prompting them to take action ranging from fines to confiscation of vehicles for serious offenders. Offenders get their ticket on the spot if its spot check and online if they jump the red light where cameras are conspicuously displayed and properly signposted. It is an offence to leave the scene of an accident and there are occasional hit and runs but the system is so good that offenders are finally caught and disciplined. Offenders have their day in court if they contest a fine. Otherwise they go to council office to pay their fines and obtain a receipt. Multiple infractions may lead to license suspension or total ban.
Unlike home, police officers have no duty to check for ‘see caution, spanners, screwdrivers and spare tyres’. Canadians know what to carry in their vehicles. In winter, a shovel – because you might be snowed in, a first-aid kit if you travel or bruised and sometimes a flare to signal for help if you get stuck or lost, but none of this is obligatory by law. Most drivers have a CAA coverage that enables them to call for help without having to pay for it. Towing vehicles operate on roads, they are costly but they are not allowed to solicit except when called by the vehicle owner or the police.
Vehicle roadworthiness and licensing are centrally controlled by city officials and can be renewed from a computer terminal with a credit or debit card. Vehicles older than ten years take and pass mandatory emission tests requirements to remain roadworthy. Licensed garages do the test and recommend necessary repairs. It is hard to compare this to the heckling and harassment that goes on in our country and we can improve.
To be continued…