Beginning from tomorrow, June 13, till June 18, 2018, when a huge movement of people and goods is expected across the country; as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the end of Ramadan fasting, and celebrate the Eid-El-Fitri festivities, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has directed operatives of the Corps (Regular and Special Marshals) to effectively cover 45 corridors across the country to tame road crashes during the season.
This is part of the initiatives of the FRSC to trend down road traffic crashes at least by 15% and fatalities by 30% during the festive period,
According to the Corps’ Public Education Officer, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, the corridors to be covered included: Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.
Kazeem stated that the Corps Marshal has directed that all hands must be on the deck to ensure free flow of traffic, reduction in road crashes, improved enforcement of traffic laws, and improved enlightenment on the proper use of roads in Nigeria as the country approaches a busy Eid-El-Fitri celebrations.
He further said that the Corps Marshal has directed that FRSC would pay first-rate focus on effective traffic control, failure to install/use Speed limiting device by commercial vehicles, overloading, lane indiscipline, use of phone while driving, number plate violation, driver’s licence violation, removal of rickety vehicles on the roads and other obstructions, driving with expired/worn out tyres and without a spare tyre.
In view of the foregoing, the spokesman of the Corps added that all patrol vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, motor bikes other operational equipment in the categories of radar guns, alcholyzers and all other operational logistics materials in custody of commands are to be fully deployed for this exercise.
The Corps Marshal has also directed that all Zebras and road side clinics must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time to crashes reported.
He said, “The operation has been programmed to run in shift as follows 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams to be on standby at all operational commands. The Corps would go into the exercise in the friendly collaboration with military units en-route or resident, The Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security, State owned/NGO’s Ambulance service providers, National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNERS) and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA)”.
Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal has called on all road users to imbibe the attitude of proper use of the roads by not only driving to stay alive, but equally to save the lives of other road users.
He equally advised motorists and other road users to call toll free number 122 in situations of emergency.
