By Haruna Yusuf
As Nigerians continue to lose their loved ones to road crashes, the Federal Government has urged Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to redouble efforts in tackling road accidents in the country.
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), gave the advice when he inspected the National Traffic Radio at the FRSC headquarters, Abuja.
He noted that road accidents remained a leading cause of deaths in the country, stressing that as such, the people should be aware of the dangers inherent in disobeying traffic rules and regulations
The SGF called on all hands to be on deck in creating greater awareness on the imperative of minimising road accident and it’s impact on the nation’s socio-economic activities.
He said:“I am quite satisfied with the platform the FRSC is using to ensure the road is safe for motorists.
“But the people need to know that the fatality we experience on road crashes is high, probably much higher.
“Educating the public and the aspect of enforcement are very important for our drivers to enable the safety of lives and property.”
Mustapha stressed that such effort must be in partnership with FRSC and Nigerians “and we need to work together to ensure there are no forms of crashes on our roads.”
He reiterated that the support of Federal government to FRSC would continue, assuring that the commission would be well funded as well.
“They have acquired pickups, functioning vehicles to deploy across the country, machines and ambulances.
He expressed optimism that the purchase of vehicles and other equipment would go a long way to enable the commission executive its mandate of safety of life on the road.
Mustapha commended the FRSC for its commitment to safer road, adding that the corps deserved the gratitude and support of all Nigerians as it strived to remove major impediment to national development efforts.
FRSC Corps Marshal of the commission,Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the organisation had recorded notable achievements since inception in 1988.
He listed the achievements to include adoption of speed limiting device, promotion of road safety education, especially in motor parks, partnership with road transport workers and fleet operators.
He told the SGF that: “We have provided breathalysers and alcholisers to keep testing our drivers across the county as part of our efforts to check road crashes in the country.
” The crash level was a bit maintained last year. This year , we are laying more emphasis on enforcement, education and enlightenment.”
The corps marshal expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the ideals of FRSC since the inception of his administration in 2015.
Boboye assured Nigerians that FRSC, and by extension the Federal government, would not relent in their commitment to the issues of road safety in the country.
