In continuation of the campaign for safer road environment in the country, the road safety stakeholders under the auspices of road transport operators today resolved to step up their efforts to ensure the success of measures that could promote road safety for enhanced economic activities. Rising from an interactive session with the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi at the FRSC National Headquarters Abuja, the group resolved to individually and collectively mobilise resources for the promotion of road safety ideals in the country. This was disclosed by Bisi Kazeem, FRSC’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy
According to Kazeem , the representative of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) who is also the General Manger (Admin) of the union, Alhaji Zubairu Ahmed says the Corps Marshal has been proactive in organising meetings of the stakeholders where collective decisions on road safety matters were taken. This he said, promotes the best road interest of road transporters and users, stressing that the stakeholders are witnessing a new dimension to road safety campaign in the country with increased tempo in sensitisation programmes.
“We appreciate your approach to issues of road safety campaign, which is based on consultation. It is therefore, our own responsibility to pass the message to our members who are not here so that they can be educated on the need to support what the FRSC is doing in the interest of all road users,” he stated.
Speaking in the same vein, Alhaji Nazeem Yasin, who is the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NIRTW), described the meeting as timely, as according to him, it was being held in the ember months when road traffic crashes are most prevalent. Alhaji Yasin therefore, commended the FRSC for its various initiatives on road safety campaigns and appealed to all stakeholders to show support to the Corps for the attainment of the much desired road safety ideals in the country, pledging the cooperation of Road Transport Workers.
Meanwhile, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, who is the Deputy National President of NUPENG-PTD, while commending the FRSC for the commitment it has been showing in matters of road safety, stressed the need for the Corps to impress it upon the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to effect repairs on some deplorable roads in the country which he said contribute to road carnage. Alhaji Garga further observed that even though the drivers appreciate what the FRSC is doing, their failure to immediately comply with some of the safety measures it is introducing was because of human nature which always resist change, adding, however, that with sustained persuasion, every driver would appreciate the need to be safety cautious and do what is right.
Mr Henry Ojoofor who represented the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the meeting equally expressed support for the road safety initiatives being pursued by the FRSC, but appealed to the Federal Government to consider the idea of building transit camp for tanker and trailer drivers along some major corridors across the country. this he said will enable the drivers to park and have enough refreshment after covering long distances.
Corps Marshal Oyeyemi in his remarks expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their responsiveness to meetings whenever called upon to discuss issues of road safety even at short notice. According to him, this has led to massive public awareness on road safety which is impacting positively on the increased sanity on the road. “We have been sustaining this consultation since September last year, and when I visited you in your various offices in January this year, we all resolved to step up the campaign through Mega Rallies which have raised the level of awareness by road users,” he stated.
“I commend all of you for the initiatives, and I assure you that we would sustain the campaign until we are convinced that every road user has been well enlightened and sanity has returned fully to our roads,” Oyeyemi stated.
At the end of the meeting, the stakeholders resolved that the FRSC can commence warning enforcement that involves “Free Safety Checks” on erring vehicles as from January 2016, preparatory to full commencement of enforcement on use of speed limiters and safety valves in tankers subsequently. They further agreed that the ongoing enforcement on use of retro-reflective tapes, broken and malfunctioned lighting system in vehicles which lead to poor illumination in the night can be sustained.The stakeholders further pledged their support for the ember months campaigns and agreed to sponsor handbills and other public enlightenment materials during the yuletide patrols.