By Luchee Igwe
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says that Anambra roads occupy 15th position on the list of death trap roads in Nigeria.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Anambra, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, made the disclosure at the Flag off of the 2022 Ember Months Safety Campaign, organised in Awka; with the theme – “Speeding , Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive”.
Irelewuyi said: ” The task of road traffic and safety management is a daunting challenge to both the government and the citizens.
“In Nigeria, data from the National Bureau of statistics shows that Anambra roads occupy 15th position on the list of death trap roads in Nigeria. We should not allow the trend continue.
“This campaign is however, apt to cover casualty factors which includes speeding, overloading, use of unsafe tyres, drunk driving, non use of seat belt and so on.
“The Corps is stepping up public enlightenment in motor parks, Churches, Mosque and the media. The Corps has also trained about 1,500 Neighbourhood Rescue Team across the state to assist in rescue efforts.
“We urge the residents and road users to cooperate with FRSC, especially at this Ember months period to reduce the rate of fatalities on our roads,” he Irelewuyi said.
He appreciated the Special Marshals for the ongoing construction of the road side clinic project at Nteje, along Awka-Onitsha expressway, saying, it will reduce response time to crashes along the axis.
Also speaking, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Benin Headquarters, Mr Chukwuma Njoku urged drivers to be focused, concentrate while driving, ensure their vehicles were in good condition and obey traffic laws.
“High travel rate, overloading speeding and drunk driving are some the characteristics of the Ember month period.
“Speeding is a critical offence in FRSC because it poses serious challenge to other road user. We are setting up 24 hours traffic surveillance on the highways to ensure drivers comply with the maximum speed limit,” he said.
In his Remarks, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said his administration recognised the situation of the roads and declared a state of emergency on roads in the state .
Soludo who was represented by Mrs Patricia Igwebuike, state’s Commissioner for Transportation, said that about 10,000 kilometers road project had be flagged off to boost infrastructure development in the state.
“This administration value the lives of residents and decided to commence massive road project.
“The tragedies on our roads are avoidable, so we urge roads users to take responsibility for their lives by obeying all the traffic rules.
“The state government will continue to work with the FRSC to educate motorists on how to drive safely and ensure safety on our roads,” he said.
