By; NICHOLAS DEKERA, Kaduna
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Taraba State Command on Thursday, kicked off a stakeholders forum and ember months road safety sensitization campaign for road users to avoid road crashes during the period.
Corps Commander, Selina Williams, who is the state Sector Commander noted at the occasion which was held at Awoniyi motor park Jalingo that, the ember months 2022 Campaign with the Theme, “AVOID SPEEDING, OVER LOADING AND UNSAFE TYRES TO ARRIVE ALIVE”, was to enlighten the road users through various awareness and patrol operations.
According to her, the campaign is aimed at curtailing infractions like, speeding, over loading, use of fake tyres, use of phone while driving and many others that have impacted negatively on road transportation and road users.
Williams commended the state and local government areas in Taraba, NURTW, Fleet Operators, NATO, hospitals, ministries/agencies, all security operatives , professional bodies and other stakeholders for their commitment in ensuring road safety administration in the state which has led to a positive score card on road traffic crash reduction from January 2022 till date.
“We have recorded 64 number of crashes in 2022 as against 98 in 2021, 88 vehicular incidents in 2022 as against 150 in 2021, 345 people involved in accident in 2022 as against 573 in 2021, 163 injured in 2022 as against 362 in 2021 and 16 dead in 2022 as against 22 in 2021.
“The ember months which run from September to December of every year is usually known with high volume of human and vehicular movements including other several activities to mark the end of the year.
“FRSC being the lead agency in road traffic management in Nigeria, has taken the lead in ensuring that the campaign is sustained yearly and had also shown the willingness to collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders in the state to ensure the safety of road users during the period.
“We commend Gov Darius Ishaku, whose administration had shown much support in making Taraba roads conducive and safe for road users through the construction and dualization of new roads, donation of operational vehicles, inauguration of the state Road Safety Advisory Council (SARSAC) Chaired by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Haruna Mannu.
“I wish to also appeal to all road users to strictly adhere to traffic laws and avoid all forms of traffic infractions and patronizing illegal parks.
Mr Patrick Davou, the FRSC Zonal Head of Operations zone 3 Yola, explained at the occasion, that the FRSC ember month tradition was introduced due to the high number of celebration that were normally involved within the period stimulate traveling from one point of the country to the end.
Davou noted that it was thoughtful of the corps to ensure that drivers apply all the safety rules to save lives.
Also, Taraba State Director of Department of State Service (DSS), Malam Ibrahim Salisu MNI, appealed to the state government to improve the road conditions of the state to help reduce the rate of road crashes.
Earlier, Dr. Grace Ahams Akor, the Director Aalina Vision Eye Clinic, encouraged road users to always check their eyes to improve their sight for safer driving.
Reports said the Ember Months flag off campaign was witnessed by the National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Taraba State, Taraba State Transport Cooperation (TSTC), A.J Danpulo Transport and other related unions.
