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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Government has urged road users to strictly comply with traffic rules and regulations as part of renewed efforts to curb road crashes and prevent avoidable loss of lives and property.
Mr. Suberu Yusuf, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Road Safety Matters, made the appeal on Friday in Lokoja during a public sensitisation campaign on road safety held at the Central Mosque.
Yusuf explained that the campaign was designed to educate all categories of road users on the dangers of traffic violations, which he described as a major cause of road crashes and their often devastating consequences.
He noted that the state government had prioritised public enlightenment by taking road safety advocacy to markets, churches, mosques and schools across Kogi.
However, he warned that the era of mere awareness was giving way to strict enforcement.
“Having created adequate awareness across the state, we will now move to strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“Residents must understand that if they refuse to comply, the law will take its course,” he said.
The governor’s aide also linked effective traffic management to broader security concerns, stressing that proper vehicle documentation and identification are critical in tackling insecurity.
He cautioned motorists against driving without number plates or operating unregistered vehicles, describing such acts as threats not only to individual drivers but to the larger community.
According to him, properly registered vehicles can be easily traced in cases of theft or when linked to criminal activities.
Yusuf further reiterated that possession of a valid driver’s licence and a roadworthiness certificate remains a legal requirement for operating vehicles on both state and federal roads.
He warned drivers against using expired documents or neglecting essential safety equipment, particularly fire extinguishers.
“In this hot weather, driving without a functional fire extinguisher is a serious risk. A minor fire incident that could have been contained at minimal cost can escalate and cause extensive damage to vehicles and surrounding property,” he said.
He disclosed that the government would soon commence routine checks across the state to ensure compliance with traffic regulations as part of sustained efforts to safeguard residents.
The awareness campaign, he added, forms part of Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo’s broader commitment to strengthening road safety in the state.
Ododo, he said, is the first governor to institutionalize the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Road Safety, a move aimed at enhancing coordinated traffic management in Kogi,a major transit hub in Nigeria.
The administration reaffirmed its resolve to continue implementing proactive measures to reduce road accidents and protect lives and property across the state.
In his lecture, the Superintendent Route Commander (SRC), L.A. Yahaya of the Federal Road Safety Corps, urged road users to cultivate patience and embrace defensive driving as effective strategies for reducing crashes.
Yahaya emphasised that patience is a fundamental virtue for motorists, noting that many accidents could be avoided if drivers exercised restraint and strictly adhered to safety regulations.
In his remarks, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi, Chief Imam of the mosque, commended the initiative and praised the organisers for promoting road safety awareness within the community.
He encouraged them to sustain the advocacy and also stressed the need for firm enforcement of traffic laws to enhance compliance among motorists and other road users.
The programme attracted key road safety stakeholders, including officers of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and representatives of the Kogi State Road Traffic Agency, underscoring a collaborative commitment to improving road safety across the state.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
