The Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello has pledged the support of the state government to the activities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the determination to enforce traffic laws in the state, saying without proper application of sanction, drivers could continue to disobey traffic rules with impunity. The Governor stated this while hosting the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi who was at the Government House Minna on an advocacy visit.
According to Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, the Governor said the importance of the FRSC in ensuring safety and security of lives of road users cannot be overemphasised, adding that for the Corps to succeed in its programmes, there is the need for the state government to render necessary support that could make it achieve its goals. “FRSC is important to the state government, because its activities affect everyone of us who use the road,” he stated.
Abubakar frowned at the level of lawlessness being displayed by some drivers, warning that the only way to ensure discipline among road users is through strict enforcement of the laws. He specifically identified cases of overloading by some drivers and those that use malfunctioning lighting system especially in the night, noting that the cause hazards not only to themselves, but other innocent road users, stressing that such practices must stop and the perpetrators brought to book for endangering the lives of the people.
“There are rampart cases of drivers who overload their vehicles with human beings and those that operate with malfunctioning lighting system. We also have cases of motorcyclists that operate without any form of licences and number plates which have to be dealt with.
“I assure you that we would support your command here to enforce the laws and restore sanity to the roads,” he stated.
On construction of trailer and tanker parks in the state, the Governor expressed the readiness of the state government to enter into fruitful partnership with credible investors for the construction of modern parks at some identified locations. This he said will address cases of road obstruction and indiscriminate parking by some tanker drivers. He assured the Corps Marshal of sustained cordial relationship between the FRSC and the state government, stressing that the existing relationship will be enhanced to make the state safer for all road users.
Earlier in his remarks, the Corps Marshal expressed appreciation to the Governor for his support for the FRSC, noting that Niger state remains exemplary in its support for the Corps, as it was the first state in the country to donate an Ambulance to the FRSC when it was established in 1988. Oyeyemi particularly commended the Governor for embarking on the renovation of the FRSC’s command describing the act as a clear indication of the friendly nature of the state to the FRSC.
The Corps Marshal, further restated the commitment of the FRSC to collaborating with the state government, and called on the Governor to address the issue of lack of Tanker and trailer parks in the state. The absence of the facilities, he said undermines free traffic movement, because of the strategic location of the state which attracts high traffic volume.
Oyeyemi stated that that as part of the Corps’ efforts to support the socio-economic development of the state, the process for establishing more driver’s licence centres, a Mini Embossing plant for the production of number plates for motorcycles and a unit centre is on. These, he said will positively impact on the activities of the state government
On the end of year special patrol, the Corps Marshal called on the state government to join the Corps in the campaign, stating that about 36,000 personnel of the FRSC including the regular and special marshals have been mobilised to ensure to cover all major roads across the country for crash and obstruction-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Corps Marshal was accompanied on the visit by some principal Officers of the FRSC National Headquarters including the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Theophilus Charles and the Corps Legal Adviser, Assistant Corps Marshal Wole Olaniran among others.
