By Joseph Edeh
Abuja – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday restated its commitment to check road traffic crashes in the country.
The Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, stated this at the RS7. 1 FCT Sector Command 2017 Special Marshal Sectoral Workshop in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is: “Road Safety is Not A Privilege But A Right.
He was represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of operations, Mrs Ojeme Ewhruojakpor.
Oyeyemi said that the corps in its 2017 corporate started goals had resolved to reduce road crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 25 per cent.
“We must remain united in the commitment to meeting the goals through greater display of passion, energy and enthusiasm in serving the road users.
“We all have a part to play to make our roads safe as drivers, passengers and pedestrians,” he said.
He enjoined the Special Marshals to sustain the spirit of volunteerism during the ember month’s patrol.
The corps marshal noted that road traffic crashes had become a great source of threat to the safety of human lives and property on the highways.
He said that according to World Health Organisation (WHO) report, road crashes claim the lives of 1.3 million every year, while many sustain various degrees of injuries.
Oyeyemi added that 80 per cent of these victims of crashes were from developing countries like Nigeria.
He said that the causes of road crashes could be prevented if every road users take adequate cautionary measures.
Earlier, the FCT Sector Commander, Mr Wobin Gora urged Special Marshals to use the workshop to strategise in order to check road crashes in the country.
“This workshop is aimed at stock-taking and improving on operational plans,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion, retired Commodore Pual Ohemu, urged special marshals to always stop and arrest underage drivers to check accidents on our roads.
He attributed most road traffic crashes to reckless driving by motorists, adding that there was a need for increased of campaign to educate motorists.
The high-point of occasion of the investiture of honourary special marshal on the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, Etsu Karu, Emmanuel Yepwi and Aminu Mohammed and inauguration of 154 special marshals in the FCT.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Baru said that the NNPC would continue to support the FRSC to make the country’s roads safer.
He said that the award would spur and encourage them to do more to save lives on Nigerian roads. (NAN)