TheCable

The Kaduna state government has banned the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from mounting checkpoints within Kaduna metropolis and other urban centres across the state.

Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Aruwan said the decision was taken at a security council meeting presided over by the governor.

‎The state government also prohibited FRSC personnel from “indiscriminately” stopping vehicles for inspection, saying the situation has been responsible for “avoidable traffic congestion and accidents”.

“FRSC personnel were advised to concentrate their energies in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway,” the statement read.

“The council acted following complaints that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the VIO (Vehicle Inspection Officers) that was dissolved by the state government following widespread unease at their acts of disrespect for the public and penchant for extortion.”

Aruwan said in 2016, the federal government acceded to requests from the state government and re-designated the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway (the Western bye-pass) and Ahmadu Bello Road as state roads.

Similarly, transporters through out the state have been directed to stop loading firewood, tomatos and other goods on top of petrol tankers.