Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other stakeholders to redouble efforts on reducing road traffic crashes fatalities in the state.
Aliyu made the charge at the commencement of ember months campaign ceremony organised by FRSC and other road unions on Thursday in Sokoto.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Sokoto State Transport Authority, Alhaji Mode Shagari, Aliyu urged the stakeholders to join hands to tackle the use of hard drugs, overloading and dangerous driving among drivers.
He emphasised that keeping away illicit substances from motor parks and other bad driving habits would reduce such obnoxious fatalities.
He assured the state government has recognised the importance of FRSC activities toward safeguarding peoples’ lives and properties across the nation.
Also speaking, FRSC Sokoto Zonal Commander, ACM Ramalan Yerima, said the campaign would be conducted across all the formations.
Yerima advised drivers on the need to change their mindsets and attitude on the roads, avoid consumption of drugs and alcoholic substances as the habits fuelled road traffic crashes that lead to deaths.
He said that wrong attitude of drivers on the roads was responsible for about 75 per cent of crashes and fatalities and not the vehicles or the roads.
Mr Hassan Maikano, the FRSC Sector Commander, said to have safer roads during the ember months, road users must avoid dangerous driving, speeding, use of alcohol and cellphones while driving, overloading, wrongful overtaking and other life-threatening infractions.
“We are concerned about precautionary measures to end carnages on the roads.
“We should learn how to share roads with other people by having consideration for other road users with defensive driving intelligence to ensure safety of lives and properties,” Maikano said.
He said that the enforcement of the law would not do the magic, but attitudinal change that would make road users have empathy for others.
According to him, FRSC partnered with Boska Nigeria Dexa-medica and distributed 1,000 protective helmets to commercial motorcycle riders in the state as part of the campaign.
In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, attributed road carnages to lane indiscipline, disobedience to traffic rules and speeding.
Abubakar, who was represented by the District Head of Durbawa, Alhaji Muazu Yakubu, appealed for the rehabilitation of roads as well as clearing of obstructions for clear passages.
” We enjoin road users to take good advantages of the smooth roads, and not to make it a ticket to death”. Abubakar appealed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the presentation of awards to deserving individuals on safer roads campaigns and other commitments.
The event was witnessed by Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Bello Sifawa, Heads of security agencies, leadership and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Others were National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), ACOMORAN, KEKE NAPEP, and Special Marshals, among others. (NAN). READ ALSO:
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