Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps Boboye Oyeyemi has tasked commanding officers to brace up and be more proactive and ensure immediate deployment of personnel for “aggressive sensitisation” of the motoring public on the need to observe maximum safety precautionary measures in the face of the recent threat of the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
According to a statement on Monday by FRSC spokesman Bisi Kazeem, Oyeyemi further directed that safety managers domiciled with fleet operators must endeavour to ensure strict compliance to all standing directives given by the presidential task force on COVID-19 including provision of running water and hand-washing equipment and making available, hand sanitisers both in parks/terminals and in vehicles.
Oyeyemi stated that as the corps commences this year’s end of year special patrol towards the successful Christmas and new year celebrations, the corps will not relent in its commitment to safer motoring environment as commanding officers have been directed to heighten advocacy and sensitisation campaigns in motor parks to bring the message of the rising cases of COVID-19 pandemic to the consciousness of road travellers.
He further ordered that motorists must be made to comply with every directive on physical distancing by carrying only one person at the front and not more than three at the rear seat of the vehicles. While motorcyclists should carry only one person at a time so that occupants will be able to guard themselves and watch out for symptoms as they commute to their destinations.
The corps marshal advised travellers to stay away from overloaded vehicles at all times no matter the urgency of their trip. He warned all vehicle occupants to always wear their seatbelts, put on their facemasks and ensure that they fill the passenger manifest before the trip commences.
Oyeyemi cautioned FRSC personnel detailed on enforcement to treat road users with tolerance, civility, empathy as he called on the public to report any noticeable non-compliance by any transporter to the Corps through the toll-free emergency numbers 122 or the public education officer through the national traffic radio live lines GLO 08052998090, MTN 09067000015, and SMS on GLO 08052998012.
