13th October, 2016
No fewer than 300 drivers in Ilorin, Kwara, benefited from free eye screening organised by the Nigerian Optometric Association(NOA) in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Mr John Meheux, the North Central Zonal Commanding Officer of the FRSC, who spoke on Thursday, said the exercise was part of activities to mark the World Sight Day.
Meheux noted that good vision was a prerequisite to safe driving and urged drivers to embark on regular eye check.
The zonal commander said that there had been fewer crashes in the state in recent times.
Mr Sunday Maku, the State Sector Commander, who also spoke, said that good eye sight and visual perception were fundamental toward achieving safe driving.
He commended the NOA for deeming it necessary to collaborate with the FRSC and transport unions to mark the World Sight Day.
“Visual impairment hampers the ability of motorists to see clearly and this affects driving activities while on motion.
“This risk is higher when driving under special conditions like under the rain, foggy or hazy weather, at night and also driving on bad roads.
“Let me use this occasion to implore our motorists to take eye health very seriously as it is a key component of standard safe driving.
“Undergo periodic eye test and seek for spectacle correction where the need arises to improve your visual effectiveness while driving,” he said.
Mr Suleiman Alege, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, said that there was need for synergy between the FRSC and transport unions to ensure safety on the roads.
Alege said that all transport unions should sensitize their members on the need for eye health and screening.
He announced that the state government had just recruited about 203 medical doctors in order to boost healthcare delivery.
Mr Yemi Rasheed, state Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who represented the chairman, appreciated the NOA and FRSC for the initiative.