From ATIKU S. SARKI, Abuja
THE Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road
Safety Commission (FRSC), Major General Haldu Anthony Hananiya, has warned
all road users in the country, to stop putting rickety vehicles on the
nation�s roads, using their mobile phones while driving, driving under the
influence of alcohol and over-loading or speeding.
General Hananiya gave the directives on the occasion of
the flag-off ceremony of the Eid-el-Fitr operations, and commissioning of
the new patrol vehicles and ambulances in Abuja last week.
According to the FRSC chief executive, the theme for this
year�s operation is �Safe Journey into 2005,�� and therefore it is expected
of all regular and special marshals of the commission to show lots of
commitment, dedication, honesty and loyalty in the discharge of their
duties, he added.
�I use this occasion to urge you all to rededicate
yourselves to our collective effort of ensuring safety of lives and property
on Nigerian roads,�� he said.
The corps marshal explained that monitors have already
been deployed to all the states of the federation to assist in identifying
the few bad eggs in the system whose activities tend to tarnish the image of
the commission.
He said those who may want to engage in extortion or any
form of bribery and corruption should have a re-think, as the long arm of
the law would definitely catch up with them, adding that the commission
would not condone any form of indiscipline.
�The festive period, as we all know, is associated with
high traffic density with attendant increase in road accidents, it is
therefore important to remind all road users that as we celebrate, we should
be safety conscious,�� he added.
He, however, pointed out that the commission has been
directed to impound unsafe vehicles, arrest and prosecute violators,
explaining that these violators would face the risks of imprisonment by law
of the land.
General Hananiya, therefore, appreciated the good gesture
of the federal government in making available patrol vehicles, ambulances,
motorbikes and other operational equipment that would enhance the
performance of the commission.
It would be recalled that few months ago, the minister of works, Senator
Adeseye Ogunlewe had presented six patrol vehicles, two ambulances and four
motorbikes as well as other logistic support to the commission.
