By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Unit Commander, RS8.34, Zariagi in Kogi State, Unit Command, ACC Odogiyon Moses Aderibigbe, has urged drivers and other road users to disabuse their minds from the notion in certain quarters that road accidents, during Ember month, is caused by spirits.
He gave the advice on Thursday while flagging off 2022 Ember month campaign at Bumak Oil and Gas,Kabba junction,, Zariagi, near Lokoja, Kogi state.
“Contrary to superstitious belief by many that road traffic crash during the ember months are caused by spirits, this is not true,”he stressed, adding that road accidents during such months were caused by human and other factors.
“It is because of the increase in human and vehicular movement and the struggle on the part of most people to travel to meet their loved ones, characterized by bad road usage and more trips on the part of commercial drivers to make more profit in preparation for the yuletide”,he said.
Aderibigbe added that because of the human factor associated with the ember months, the Corps had the mandate of educating the road users to adhere strictly to road traffic regulations during and after the yuletide period.
The Unit Commander added,:” It is imperative to start the sensitization as early as possible, people travel frequently to their respective towns and villages to meet their loved ones, particularly those working outside the state.
“Hence, traffic will increase as such overloading, over speeding, night journey, reckless driving, fatigue, use of bad wipers, mechanical deficient vehicles, expired tyres cannot be ruled out as critical offences.
“Therefore, the campaign is a timely reminder that,drinking and driving does not only constitute a threat to the life of the drunk driver, but also to the lives and property of the people.
“This year campaign with the theme, “Avoid: Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe tyres to Arrive Alive”, for the 2022 operation zero, which is the code name for the ember months special patrol, shows the expression of care for the lives of all the road users.
“We are working and shall be working assiduously to ensure that there will be significant shift in the attitude of motorists this year, especially during the yuletide where people have come to believe that drinking on daily basis in the name of celebration is permissible.”
The Branch Chairman, NURTW Zariagi – kabba, branch, Mr Lucky.comnended the commander for the first Ember months flag off witnessed in the command since it was established in 2007.
He promised that the union members would abide by the traffic rules and regulations to avoid road traffic crash during and after the period.
Our Correspondent reports that dignitaries that attended the occasion include:
The corridor commander,corridor 3,Oba of Yoruba,Oba of Obajana, Seriki Hausa Fulani, Oga Attah of Igala, Head of Bassa, DPO, Osara, DPO Obajana, head of NSCDC, medical director, Cross Nation Othorpeadic Hospital among others.
