Imo Deputy Governor challenges FRSC to improve services.
By Jude Onyenedogha.
Imo state Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, has urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to improve on their efforts at maintaining safety on roads, stressing on the need to preserve the sanctity of life, as she remarked that Governor Hope Uzodimma has made their job easier.
The Deputy Governor handed out this task, Tuesday, during a visit to her office at the Government House, Owerri, by the FRSC Imo State Sector Command, led by the Sector Commander, Corp Commander Anthony O. Uga.
Further in her address to the officers, the Deputy Governor expressed her happiness to receive the officers at this critical time when safety on our roads have become a serious concern.
The Deputy Governor, while appreciating the efforts of the road safety corps members, observed that Governor, Uzodimma has made their job easier, by improving road safety, through the construction of massive road networks in the state, installation of traffic signs, street and traffic lights at strategic junctions, modernization and expansion of major junctions in the state, through the Urban Renewal Initiative.
She therefore, called on FRSC to complement the effects of the Governor by intensifying their efforts, while also advising all road users, especially the motorists to imbibe the common guiding principles in driving, that “every driver must consider himself/herself as the only sane road user”, emphasising that with such notion in the minds of every driver, reckless driving, accidents and loss of lives on the roads will be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.
The Deputy Governor assured the team of Government’s support and readiness to partner in their activities, as she directed them to work closely with the state’s Ministry of Transport. She maintained that, with due diligence and collaboration with other relevant agencies, no incidence will be recorded throughout the ember month.
Earlier, in his address, the Sector Commander, Corp Commander Anthony O.
Uga, informed the deputy governor that was new in the state and decided to familiarize with the Government of Imo State, starting with the office of the Deputy Governor.
He maintained that the core mandate of his agency is ensuring safety on the roads, through rendering of intelligent information to other security agencies to curb insecurity, travel advisory to road users, diligent surveillance on the roads, among others.
The Corp commander also highlighted some of road safety measures being put in place to ensure to ensure safety on the roads during the yuletide, which includes; launching of road safety app for security information, flagging off the ember month patrol campaign and collaboration with other relevant agencies.
Corps commander Anthony, while proposing the use of surveillance cameras on major roads and junctions for effective monitoring of every nook and cranny, lamented the effects of drug abuse on many drivers, especially, the youths.
According to him “many drivers are most times under the influence of drugs and alcohol intoxication, and this informs their recklessness on the roads”.
Consequently, he sought for ways to synergise with other relevant bodies to reduce infractions between the youths and their officers on the roads. To this end therefore, he demanded to use three higher institutions in the state to serve as pilots for drivers/youth sensitization, maintaining that their admonitions will help reduce the negative impacts in the society.
The commander, in conclusion, promised to replicate his Ogun state achievements in Imo state, once offered the necessary assistance as he handed to the Deputy Governor, the Nigerian Highway Code, to mark their visit.
The Deputy Sector Commander, O. C Ukachukwu and other officers accompanied the Sector Commander to the visit, while the Principal Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. John Njoku, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Sir (Barr) Tobechi Ekomaru and other principal officers of the Office of the Deputy Governor were all present.
