EMBER MONTH CAMPAIGN: FRSC DEPLOYS OVER 600 PERSONNEL IN IMO
REPORTER: UGONNA AGU
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on road users to be law abiding and safety cautious during the ember months to avoid road traffic crash.
The Zonal Commanding Officer RS9 Head quarters, Mr. Ocheja Ameh, made the call in Owerri during the 2022 ember month campaign launch.
Delivering a keynote address on this year’s theme “Avoid speeding, overloading and the use of unsafe tyres,” the Zonal Commander said the yearly enlightenment was to improve enforcement and educstion on proper use of road traffic rules in order to reduce traffic fatalities.
Mr. Ameh said the campaign was also geared towards ensuring free flow of traffic, eradicating road crashes and creating safety on the roads.
He maintained that the campaign was important due to the high vehicular traffic congestion and road traffic crash during the yuletide.
“To a large extent, the behaviour of the driver, who makes critical decisions accounts for over 79% of carnages on our roads,” he stated.
The FRSC boss therefore called on all road users and stakeholders to support the efforts of the FRSC by putting a positive attitude while on the road.
Earlier, the Imo State Sector Commander of the corps, Mr. Evaristus Ebeniro, said the command had deployed 377 regular marshals and over 300 special marshals to perform various functions, ranging from enforcement of traffic control, emergency rescue, clearing of obstructions to public enlightenment.
Mr. Ebeniro also said the command had penciled down 24 routes and 38 traffic control points across the state for effective patrol coverage and traffic control strategies.
“All patrol vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, motors bykes have been fully deployed for this exercise. In a situation of emergency, the 122 toll free number is a valid means to reach FRSC,” he advised.
The Sector Commander ceased the opportunity to thank sister security agencies for their support.
Representative from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Kelvin Ohia and representative from the Nigerian Optometrist Association, Mr. Chinaka Nwosu, in their separate presentations harped on the need for drivers to avoid drugs while driving and to take proper care of their sight.
“These drugs affect your memory, makes you forget things easily, and causes brain damage.
“It is very important that at least once every year, you check your vision to know the extent you can see, such that you start taking remedy steps to secure your vision,” they admonished.
The event had in attendance the traditional ruler of Egbu Community, Eze Egbukole; representatives from the state ministries of works and transport; members of the National Union of Road Traffic Workers (NURTW); National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); and other security agencies.
Highlights of the event were, cultural dance display, drama by the NYSC members and the launch of the campaign by the Governor of Imo State, senator Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Okechukwu Anukwem.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
