FRSC: We’ll deploy over 39,000 personnel nationwide during festive season
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will deploy 39,450 personnel during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
In a statement on Monday, Bisi Kazeem, FRSC spokesman, said apart the personnel, 806 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 204 motor bikes and 27 tow trucks would be designated to specific routes across the country.
Kazeem said the deployment by the corps is to ensure that there is sanity on the country’s highways during the celebrations.
According to him, the special patrol will commence operation from December 15 to January 19, 2020.
“[It would] entail 24 hours enforcement along major highways, robust public enlightenment campaigns across the nation, prompt rescue/recovery services, stakeholder collaboration, road safety observatory, uninterrupted motorized patrol, day time route lining, traffic control, operation of mobile courts, activation of high alert on internal and external medical facilities, establishment of road camps and help areas, aerial surveillance, and purposeful synergy with other security agencies,” he said.
“To achieve the aforementioned, the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has directed that the 2019 Ember Months campaign be targeted at enforcement on critical offences, such as; excessive speeding, dangerous driving, tyre violation, lane indiscipline, road obstruction, use of phone while driving, overloading violation, seatbelt use violation, child safety, passengers manifest violation, mechanically deficient vehicles, and unlatched container carrying vehicles.
“Part of this nationwide special operation is the massive deployment of personnel and logistics along 52 designated critical corridors and black spots such as Lokoja-Benin-Auchi, Abaji-Lokoja, Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-HawanKibo-Jos, Minna-Birnin-Kebbi-Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria, Potiskum-Damaturu, Kabba and Udi-Orji River-Awka-Owo, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu, Abuja-Airport Road-Giri and Opi-Junction-Nike-Enugu Highways among others identified for this exercise.”
Kazeem asked motorists to adhere to traffic regulations
“The corps has established the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM for daily traffic updates for travellers, effective enlightenment and education on best road culture among others,” he said.
We need more police officers. The assets of FRSC should be transferred to the police to enhance their capability for proper law enforcement. 39,000 personnel is just too much paid manpower for taffic and sefety on high ways. The police can make proper use of that crowd with little added training on how to handle soft weapons.