By Adaeze Lawrence
The Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, has directed that mobile court sittings be conducted throughout the Ember Months period across the federation.
Biu, represented by Zonal Commanding Officer, RS zone 10, ACM, Ramalan Yerima, gave the directive during the FRSC ember months special patrol flag-off rally in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
“You are all aware that the yuletide is one of the periods when Nigerians travel across the length and breadth of the country, especially the Christian faithful.
“Owing to this development, our roads have always witnessed high vehicular traffic congestions, gridlock, road traffic crashes and the attendant loss of lives and properties.
” This situation is further worsened by the excesses of motorists along our corridors which leave horrifying nightmares in the minds of all stakeholders, motorists, travellers, government, FRSC and other security agencies
“I direct that mobile courts sittings be conducted throughout the period across the federation.
“The corps will also pay first-rate focus on effective traffic control, failure to install/use speed limiting device by commercial vehicles, overloading, among others,” he said.
Biu said that the sittings were part of the corps’ concerted efforts geared towards ensuring the free flow of traffic, eradicating road traffic crashes and creating a safe motoring environment in the country.
“I also direct the immediate commencement of mega public enlightenment and sensitization campaign of this nature in all states of the federation, including Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
He said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the free flow of traffic, reduction in road crashes, and improved enforcement of traffic laws in the country.
Biu added that the corps would collaborate with sister security agencies, National Network on Emergency Rescue Services, (NNERS) and FERMA to ensure a friendly festive period.
In his remarks, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Samaila Yombe- Dabai, commended the FRSC for organising the campaign in their efforts to ensure a crash-free society.
“We are reiterating our commitment to helping the security agencies to strengthen peace and reduce crime as well as road crashes in the state.
“We will not relent in our promise of protecting lives and properties of our people in the state,” he said.
He urged the vehicle users to abide by traffic rules and regulations to ensure the reduction of road crashes before, during and after ember months in the state.
Earlier, the Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Alhaji Haruna Aliyu, said that the objective of the campaign activities was to reduce road traffic crashes to the barest minimum throughout the period and beyond.
He commended Gov. Atiku Bagudu for supporting and creating an enabling working environment for FRSC in the state.
Aliyu also called on leaders at all levels to return the message of the campaign to their followers to abide by the ‘ avoiding speeding, overloading and use of unsafe tyre to arrive alive’ theme of the 2022 campaign.