Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen has presented 21 patrol vehicles and four heavy duty Tow Trucks to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC). The gesture, he noted would assist the FRSC in reducing fatalities on Nigerian roads.
Represented at the official handing over by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Dr. Abubakar Koro Muhammed, the minister said it would also enhance road safety management and increase safety enforcement strategies.
Onolememen emphasized that the Federal Government’s determination in this regard cannot be compromised “because the lives of Nigerians using our road corridors are vital to the nation’s socio-economic renewal and indeed, national transformation”.
He also noted that gesture clearly underlines the Federal Road Development’s objectives of reducing fatalities on Nigerian roads by 50 per cent, in order to improve safety level along the Safe Road Corridors.
He recalled that the handing over of these vehicles “symbolizes, in a unique way, the Federal Government’s dedication to the task of exploring innovative and resourceful ways of funding the road safety intervention in the road sector”.
The Minister noted that the Patrol Vehicles which were equipped with required communication gadgets and operational tools will substantially improve safety enforcement strategies and enhance adequate and prompt accident recovery. He also informed the FRSC that the Federal Ministry of Works have awarded contracts for the supply of communication equipment and operational tools as well as the construction of eighteen (18) Emergency Ambulance points that would soon commence.
He further enjoined the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT), the unit which oversees the Federal Roads Development Project of the World Bank to rededicate itself to the task of ensuring that the vehicles, communication equipment and operational tools are properly used at the agreed locations”. He call on the FRSC to remember that Government accords great importance to their adequate maintenance and regular service so as to ensure their sustainability.
In his vote of thanks, the Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka commended the Federal Ministry of Works for its determination to transform the Nigerian road sector and promised to utilize the vehicles as recommended.
The occasion was graced by the Unit Manager, RSDT, Engr. Ishaq Mohammed and some Directors of the Federal Ministry of Works.
