FEDERAL Road Safety Corps have taken a step further towards
ensuring that the coming Yuletide is celebrated with minimal accident reports.
This came following
an awareness campaign flag off held in Onitsha recently to sensitise the
populace on the need for road safety consciousness to all road users within the
state.
The event, which had
the theme: “Road Safety Is A State
Of Mind, Road Traffic, Crash Is An Absence Of Mind, Stay Alert Stay
Alive,” had seasoned speakers who leveraged on the theme to advise road
users, especially motorists and others to put more conscious efforts at keeping
the road safe, avoiding drug influence,
impatience and recklessness of any sort.
Speaking during the
event, Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by the deputy
governor, Nkem Okeke stated that most accident cases are man-made in causation
and could have been avoided with right attitude and approach.
“The FRSC as
the lead agency in traffic management in Nigeria over the years has been living
up to its statutory duties in the area of traffic controls, clearing of
obstructions and enforcement of traffic rules, regulation and prompt attention
to road traffic crisis.
However, we are in a
new Ember month and the chief security
officer in the state has recently
launched Operation Kpochapu11 and given special security surveillance vehicles
to all security agencies in the state.
Traffic lights were
also mounted at strategic positions to ease traffic congestions in Anambra
State.”
He noted that the
state has commenced massive rehabilitation of roads in the state to ensure
smooth access for motorists and other road users especially during the busy
Christmas period.
Okeke pointed out
that heavy duty vehicles have been provided to FRSC for easy evacuation of
broken-down vehicles on the road to reduce carnage caused by their presence on
the road.
He lamented human
element as major cause of road accident amongst other variables, while charging
FRSC and all relevant agencies to ensure full enforcement of regulations to
mitigate further occurrence.
Delivering his
speech during the event, FRSC Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi, represented by Zonal
Co-ordinator RS 5 HQ, Benin, ACM Kehinde Adeleye, expressed his appreciations
for the people and government of Anambra State for their tremendous efforts
toward ensuring that high level security thrives in the state.
“To further
pledge our commitment to ensuring that there is safety on the roads in Anambra
State, let me use this opportunity to advise road users that this is a
veritable show of the level of commitment, co,-orperation and collaboration
built among service agencies in Anambra State.
We will ensure that all corners of Anambra State will enjoy
good security and accident free Yuletide.
The Anambra State
Sector Commandant, Andrew Kumapapayi thanked the state government for providing
good support for effective implementation of duties, while thanking other
sister agencies for their collaboration. He noted that road accidents are
mostly human factor and vowed to prosecute any culprit against full compliance
with road safety regulations; while warning all masquerades to steer clear off
the roads or risk arrest should they constitute any obstructions to free flow
of traffic this Ember months.
The Nigerian Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) boss in the state cautioned all drivers, vehicle
owners, as well to stay off any drug intake or alcohol before or while driving,
emphasising their readiness to work in synergy with FRSC, Police and other
security agencies to ensure that non compliance to road safety as well as
environmental regulations will be apprehended and consequently prosecuted.
In his own remark,
the state director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Charles Nwaorji
emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck in enthroning safe road usage
to all classes of people in the state.
“We have
gathered at the behest of the FRSC to rekindle our collective commitment to
proper and safe road-use ethics which will ensure the safety of motorists and
other road users within the state.
In the past couple
of days or weeks, the state has witnessed avoidable road mishaps leading to
loss of lives and valuable properties’.
He noted that the
ugly incident would have been averted if drivers involved in the accident
exercised maximum precautions in the discharge of their duties.
The Onitsha Monarch,
Igwe Alfred Achebe, represented by the Palace Chief of Staff, Chinyelugo
Enweonwu admonished all operators in the sector to put more efforts to ensure
that the objective of accident free Ember months and after is realised.
Anambra State
Traffic Management Agency Chairman, Pat
Obiefuna, Commissioner for Works, represented by Noel Okoye, lauded the state
governor, for his dexterity and purposeful leadership.
Dignitaries present
at the occasion include; the deputy governor of the state, Nkem Okeke, Zonal
Commander, RS5HQ, Benin, ACM Kehinde Adeyeye, Onitsha North TC, Patrick
Ayamba, NSCD boss in the state,
Chukwurah Orji Nathaniel, Jude Eze, (State Chairman Red Cross), Prof Peter
Emeka,, DPO, Bridge Head Division, SP Okeke, DPO Fegge, CSP Ogaba Immigration
Boss in the state, as well as Correctional Facility Director, amongst others.
Highlights of the
occasion are cutting of the tape by the Deputy Governor, entertainment dance
from Oluchi Dance group Nnewi as well as Drama presentation anchored on road
safety and human factor.