Ahead of this year’s Eid-El-Fitr celebration, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said it has mobilised adequate logistics and personnel for a hitch-free celebration nationwide.
The Assistant Corps Marshal Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted The Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu saying that Corps is embarking on a special patrol operation to ensure motorists and other road users have a hitch-free celebration amidst the rainy season.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps has mobilized adequate logistics and personnel for the 2023 Eid-El-Fitr celebration to enhance visibility and guarantee safe travels for all road users before, during, and after the celebration in Nigeria, which has been scheduled to commence from 20 April and be terminated on 25 April 2023.
“The Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu has mandated that the following objectives must be achieved in the special operations: Reduction in Road Traffic Crashes, Road Traffic Fatalities, and Road Traffic Injuries; Prompt response to road traffic crash victims; Engagement of robust public education and enlightenment across all media platforms; speedy removal of obstructions from the highways; intensified enforcement on critical offences; and adequate supervision, surveillance, and monitoring of all commands amongst others”, he said.
He said the corps is embarking on the special patrol operation to ensure motorists and other road users have a hitch-free celebration amidst the rainy season.
According to him, about 750 Patrol Vehicles, 120 Ambulances, 25 Tow trucks, and over 200 Bikes would be on the road during the special operation.
He said: “FRSC has over the years developed this tradition of always organising special patrol operations during festive periods as a way of averting the chaos that characterizes the road during such celebrations, as such, this year’s Eid-el-Fitr would not be an exemption. Motorists must endeavour to avoid traffic violations and remain conscious of their safety to avoid not only arrest and prosecution by members of the Corps, but falling prey to avoidable road crashes.
“The corridors to be covered are Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, 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.
“To achieve maximum coverage, the Corps has deployed operational equipment in the categories of Radar Guns, Breathalysers to put a check on drunk driving, operational logistics materials are also to be fully deployed for this exercise. More so, the Corps Marshal has equally directed that all Zebras must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time to crashes reported”.
He also appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, noting that Mobile Courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.
The Corps Marshal also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus on Effective Traffic Control, Wrongful Overtaking, Use of Phone while Driving, Drivers Licence Violation, Lane Discipline, Removal of Rickety vehicles on the road, Driving with Expired/worn-out tyres and without a spare tyre, etc.
“In line with the foregoing, the patrol is to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams are to be on standby at all operational Commands. The Corps will go into the exercise with friendly collaboration with Military Units en route or residents, 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)”, he said.
