By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Towards Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and safety of lives, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osun Command RS11, has sensitized motorists and road users on the need to be safety conscious and to protect their lives while they are celebrating, adding that they should not let the celebration lead to death as they drive through town or when they are transiting from one town to the other.
This is as the Sector Command also declared that drivers plying the motorways in Osun must possess driving licence, which is tagged a necessity for professional drivers irrespective of the type of vehicle being driven.
The state Deputy Corps Commander (DCC), Olusanjo Olumatanmi made the disclosure at the sensitization rally made to create awareness to motorists towards the upcoming Sallah celebration.
He added that the directive is from the FRSC national headquarter in Abuja to commence the Sallah special patrol operations slated from July 16 to July 25, 2021.
Speaking on the motorcade campaign rally which took off at the Sector Command in Abere and terminated at Aregbe motor park in the city, DCC Olumatanmi, who also doubles as the Head of Operations, advised motorists and road users in the state not to indulge in excesses or let the festivity get into their heads as they drive on the roads.
He maintained that there is need to sensitize the populace due to the forecast of high traffic for the Sallah season, he said that FRSC made plans and synergize with sister security agencies and others for better deployment to man flashpoints, areas where gridlocks are expected due to high inflow and outflow of traffic and persons for easy movements.
Speaking further, he said that the sensitization is a nationwide event where every field command is expected to do campaigns, adding that particularly for Osun state, other unit formations are also participating in the sensitization exercise.
On the issue of driver’s licence, he postulated that it is not just a job for FRSC only, that the issuance is a tripartite arrangement between the Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Service and the board of Internal Revenue Services through the joint task board which regulates issuance of licence.
He stated that what Osun Internal Revenue Service is doing about enforcement of driver’s licence, which is a legal document that permits drivers of all categories to be behind the steering wheel, is in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Olumatanmi also spoke on deployment of 150 road safety officers alongside special and regular marshals and FRSC/NYSC Road safety club to nook and cranny of the state during the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
He stated further that all available strength through sister security agencies will also be used to ensure proper traffic control.
The DCC said the sensitization will be a continuous affair spiced with programmes such as campaign to commercial motor union drivers, who are saddled with the task of transporting passengers on the roads.
He hinted that early morning safety cry for spot checks on drivers at the point of loading, among others, were necessary.
At Aregbe Motor Park, the spokesperson for Osun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Corps Public Education Officer, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi addressing the commercial drivers at the park, said the public enlightenment/campaign awareness rally is necessary for the motoring public on the need to exercise caution while driving during the Sallah festive period.
She advised drivers to be cautious of overtaking, overloading, over speeding and answering phone call while driving.
She also advised drivers not to manage tyres, but change them when they expired.
Ogungbemi also charged the commercial drivers to ensure that their vehicles side mirrors, inner mirror, seat belt, windscreen wipers among others are appropriate.
Also speaking to the commercial motor drivers, the National Secretary of the Special Marshal, Prince Tunde Ajiboye reiterated to the commercial drivers to ensure that every accessory of the vehicle is intact and in good condition before they commence any driving on the roads.
Responding on behalf of the commercial drivers’ association at the Aregbe motor park, the Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Waheed Ajani appreciated the Osun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps for the public enlightenment, he assured the gathering that the campaign will be put to good use for the safety of all in the state.
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