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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is partnering the Ministry of Transport and other collaborative agencies in enforcing the presidential order on strict adherence to COVID-19 prevention protocols in Anambra state.
Sector commander of the corps in the state, Mr. Andrew Ayodele Kumapayi, stated this during an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the command’s headquarters in Awka, the Anambra state capital.
He said following the executive order marshalled out by President Muhammadu Buhari on strict observance of COVID-19 safety precautions to curtail rate of infections, it became necessary to enforce the presidential order on road users in the state.
Kumapayi stated that the FRSC in conjunction with other agencies had taken the message of the safety tips on COVID-19 prevention to parks, stalls and passers-by coupled with promoting sitting arrangements that ensured physical distancing and compulsory wearing of facemasks amongst commuters.
He also disclosed that mobile courts had been activated in the state to try defaulters of the COVID-19 prevention protocols, stressing that the FRSC and other agencies were working assiduously to ensure that the motoring public complied with the presidential directive as well as its counterpart order stipulated by the Anambra State Government to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The sector commander however admonished road users in the state to always obey traffic rules and regulations while on the road and also consider others while avoiding all manner of traffic infractions.
According to him, “They must ensure that they have adequate rest before they embark on any journey and also try as much as possible to avoid night travels. They must also ensure that their vehicles meet safety standards.”
The state FRSC boss who recalled that traffic control during the Yuletide was a huge success, maintained that nobody slept on the Niger Bridge and that through the collaborative efforts of the state transport ministry and other security agencies, cantankerous drivers were put on adequate check.
He therefore noted that as part of the corporate strategic goals of the corps for 2021, the corps aims at reducing road traffic crashes by 15% and fatalities by 20%. They will also improve on personnel capacity and competence in road safety management.
Kumapayi also said that the corps would broaden and sustain stakeholders engagements while strengthening road safety programmes such as daily public enlightenment, town hall meetings, church advocacy, advocacy visits to traditional rulers and a host of other goals to be achieved this year.
