December 16, (THEWILL) – The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has flagged off the 2022 ‘ember months‘ campaign in Bayelsa state, with sensitisation of motorists and other road users, to be conscious of the damaged portion of the roads devastated by the flood.
The Sector Commander, CC Usman Ibrahim PSC, stated this in his welcome address during the official flag-off of the ‘ember months’ campaign at Ekeki motor park in Yenagoa, stressing that it is indisputable that the last four months of the year are referred to as ‘ember months’ and usually characterised with high vehicular movements, which often results in high road traffic crashes and fatalities.
“Studies have shown that causes of road traffic crashes can be categorised into three; human, environment and mechanical factors — the human factor has been known to be responsible for over 75% of the reason why crashes occur on the road.”
He said the Bayelsa FRSC sector command is deploying personnel, patrol vehicles, ambulances, and tow trucks, among other logistics to cover the state and highways leading in and out of Bayelsa state.
“We have concluded plans to respond to all emergencies that may occur during the yuletide, in order to reduce cases of deaths resulting from road-related mishaps”, he added.
Also speaking, the Zonal commander of the FRSC, ACM Jonathan Owoade, said the FRSC was established in 1988, with the mandate to prevent/minimise crashes on the highways, clear obstructions, design/produce all categories of drivers licence, vehicle number plates, educate drivers, motorists and other members of the public generally, on the proper use of the highway.
“We have entered the last three months of the year 2022, FRSC has kick-started its state-wide end-of-the-year campaign to sensitise road users on safety measures to forestall crashes and other traffic-related incidents during the yuletide.”
He further said that the campaign theme: “Avoid Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to arrive alive”, aims to educate the motoring public to make the year 2022 ember months unique and crash-free by adhering strictly to road traffic regulations.
He also reiterated the maximum speed limit allowed by law in Nigeria today is 100km/h, adding that tyres are among the most important part of the vehicle, but unfortunately the least understood — without the tyres the vehicle is useless.
Representatives of the state government, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Engr Ramond Awana, Hon Douglas Awudulu, the Coordinator of the FRSC Special Marshall and Nigeria police ACP, Naubula Francis, lent their voices towards the sensitisation of the general public and road users, especially transporters to adhere strictly to the FRSC regulations, to ensure accident-free roads, especially during the yuletide.
They all agreed that the 2022 theme was apt and auspicious and gave assurances of their collaboration and synergy with the FRSC.
Highlights of the occasion were a drama sketch by Youth Service Corps members, FRSC club, which educated the general public on the need to drive with good tyres, and avoid overloading and drinking while driving.
