Jesse Ese, Yenagoa
In its bid to reduce the rate of road crashes in the country, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced the operation of mobile courts in Rivers-Bayelsa zone.
The Commander of the Zone, Commander Charity Uwadoka ACM, who spoke during the flag-off at the Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa, stated that they came up with the 2013 Ember months special patrol operation and public education rally carnival tagged: Operation LAEVEA because there was more work to be done in the zone.
She stated that the Rivers-Bayelsa zone records the highest number of road crashes annually. According to her, it was as a result of drivers not obeying the traffic laws.
She added that the commencement of the mobile courts in Rivers, Bauchi and Kwara zones was as a result of failure of drivers to obey traffic.
She also said that Madam Charity Oba, President Goodluck Jonathan’s in-law, died on the Rivers-Bayelsa zone, the home of the President.
While advising against the use of fairly used tyres (tokumbo), she urged all to join hands to fight against overloading, over-speeding and dangerous overtaking, stressing that other zones had tried to reduce accident rates except Rivers-Bayelsa zone.
The Bayelsa State FRSC Sector Commander, Commander Jack Vincent, stated that there was no difference between the Ember months and the other months, urging drivers not endanger the lives of people in the name of making wealth.
“It is only those that are alive that can celebrate and party. We have come to advice and educate ourselves so that we will not hear any sad story. Drive safely so that everyone will see the New Year.”
He expressed gratitude to the NURTW and the security agencies in the state for the synergy with the FRSC; adding that the mobile courts will be for all road users and not commercial drivers only.
The Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bayelsa State Chapter, Comrade ThankGod Erebo (JP), said that what the FRSC taught them was a way forward to protecting lives and properties, noting that the Ember months campaign shows to them that life was very important.
He expressed gratitude to the FRSC for recognizing NURTW in such a pertinent programme, urging drivers to always do proper checkup on their vehicles before they hit the road and to always obey all the traffic laws; adding that the Ember months alone will not fetch them all the wealth.
