20th November, 2015
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has flagged off its 2015 ‘Ember’ Months Campaign in Edo tagged ”Operation Safety, Drive Safely into 2016”.
Speaking during the flag off, the Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC
RS5, Benin, Mr Shehu Zaki noted that the campaign was aimed at ensuring
safer roads during the last four months of the year, aka ’ember’ months,
He said that the campaign was also to consolidate the success of the
2014 End of Year Special Patrol which recorded 42 per cent reduction
in road accidents nationwide.
He said that aside from Boko Haram insurgency, road accidents were
the main cause of violent deaths in the country.
Zaki said that Nigeria was recently ranked as the third country
with highest rate of accidents and fatalities among 193 countries,
and urged that all hands should be on deck to curtail the menace.
Also at the event, Gov Adams Oshiomhole said his administration was committed to reducing road traffic crashes in the state.
Oshiomhole said that the present administration had decided to embark on
the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state to ensure
safer roads for lives and property.
The governor, represented by his Commissioner for Transport, Mr
Isimeme Iriogbe, said that the state had also been
sponsoring road safety jingles on the media on the need for motorists
to obey traffic rules.
Contributing, the Edo Sector commander of FRSC, Mr Oluwasusi Familoni called on
government at all levels to support the Corps in the enforcement of
the ban on the sale of alcohol in motor parks and other commuting
places.
He said that such measures would to a great extent reduce drink-
driving habit and all the vices associated with it.
He said that drink-driving habit could increase the chances of road traffic
accidents, deaths and serious injury to the victims.
He advised drivers to avoid speeding, over loading, lane hopping and
impatience, especially during festive periods when there
would be a lot of vehicular movement .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured
presentation of trophies and cash award to commercial drivers who
clinched first to third positions during the maiden edition of the
Enogie(Duke) of Eyaen Drivers’ Quiz Competition held in Benin recently.