FRSC flags off ember month safety campaign in Rivers

…Insists night travel unsafe

Barth Ndubuwah,Port Harcourt

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Rivers State Command has flagged off its ember month safety campaign for 2021 in Port Harcourt,the Rivers State capital as the yuletide gradually approaches.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike said safety of the road starts from good roads. He charged the Federal Governnment to rehabilitate all federal roads in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Service Bureau,Dr George Nweke, the Governor called for collaboration with federal government agencies in the state to move the nation forward.

He lamented the deplorable state of the Eleme Junction, Refinery axis of the East-West Road,housing most of the federal government projects, describing it as goose that lays the golden egg,but is left to suffer.

The Governor said it is unsafe to see heavy duty trucks and tankers carrying inflammable petroleum products plying such roads. He called on the Federal Government to do the needful by reconstructing the road.

Also speaking, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 6 Headquarters, Assistant Corps Marshall Chidiebere Nkwonta said in as much as the Corps does not intend to infringe on the right of the people,it will continue to discourage them from night travel, in view of the inherent dangers.

He frowned at the indiscriminate parking of vehicles along the newly constructed roads, which he said damages the roads. He however assured that the Corps will tackle the problem headlong.

Earlier in his speech, the Rivers State Sector Commander, Salisu Galadunci urged motorists to avoid over-speeding and desist from night travels.

He identified sharing of the roads with other road users as a big challenge,but stressed that the FRSC has an approved safety road strategy by the National Economic Council to tackle the menace.

This year’s Ember Month Safety Campaign has its theme as ‘Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travel And Enjoy Quality Road Experience.’