The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has released preliminary report on the ghastly motor crash that claimed the lives of the Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, his wife and son along the Kaduna- Abuja road on Sunday.
Oyeyemi also commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the Federal Executive Council and the immediate family of the late minister.
According to Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, the Corps Marshal addressed a section of members of the press on Monday in the aftermath of the crash involving the Minister of State, the crash occurred on Sunday, 6 March 2016 at Km 67 Kaduna- Abuja road, about 3 Kilometres after Doka village.
Oyeyemi noted that the death of the Minister in the crash was a tragic incident that has challenged FRSC to step up its campaigns against carnage, saying he was personally touched and would work with relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate strategies that could address future occurrences.
“The crash occurred at about 1500hrs and involved two vehicles: one Toyota Lexus LX570 car and a backup car,” he stated.
“3 lives were lost in the incident. While the Minister and his son died instantly, the wife later died at the Doka Hospital near Kaduna.
The Corps Marshal further disclosed that as soon as the crash occurred, FRSC rescue teams were mobilised from the Ambulance Point and Unit Command at Doka and Kateri respectively to the scene where they carried out the rescue activities. He pointed out that the corpses were conveyed to the National Hospital Abuja by personnel of the FRSC where they were deposited.
On the cause of the crash, Oyeyemi disclosed that preliminary investigation into the cause indicated that the crash was due to tyre burst, which led to loss of control and somersaulting of the vehicle. He added however that he has ordered full investigation into the crash to be carried out by FRSC Accident Investigation Team.
“I have already ordered full investigation into the causes of the crash to determine what led to the ghastly crash in order to prevent future occurrence,” he stated.
Meanwhile the Corps Marshal has disclosed that with the unfortunate incident, FRSC is more determined to work with the Executive and members of the National Assembly as well as other relevant stakeholders to workout appropriate modalities for ensuring crash-free roads, saying training and retraining of government drivers is part of the immediate measures being taken by the FRSC to avert convoy crashes in the country.
He noted that when FRSC trained the drivers of the Governors’ convoy, the benefits in terms of improved driving culture became immediately noticeable, saying the Corps would be working with members of the Federal Executive Council to put some measures in place, including re-training of their drivers to avoid convoy crashes.
“We are working with the Minister of Works, Power and Housing to install traffic signs at some strategic points along the highways. We are equally committed to working with the National Assembly to step up advocacy and enforcement strategies to curtail issues of speed violation and promotion of use of seatbelt,” Oyeyemi stated.
