TheCable

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, took up another professional calling briefly — as a radio host — as he presented live updates on the traffic situation across the country.

Osinbajo gave the traffic update after he inaugurated the National Traffic Radio, 107.1 FM, at the headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja.

While declaring the station open for operations, Osinbajo said the service will provide access to relevant information, as part of efforts to ensure road safety and improve the traffic situation across the country.

According to NAN, the vice-president gave a brief breakdown of traffic in the federal capital territory (FCT) and a few other areas.

“Good afternoon. Wherever you are in this great country, this is Yemi Osinbajo, your always ready, always accurate traffic reporter, updating you on the traffic situation across the nation,” he said.

“So, let’s go to the FCT. As of a few minutes ago, the Keffi-Abuja inward section, traffic from Nyanya under the bridge to Kugbo, toward the city centre is slightly free-flowing. No impediments reported.

“Umaru Musa Yar’adua way, the situation report shows that there is free flow of traffic on both sections of the expressway. Kubwa-Katampe, Wuse-Berger, traffic services unit reports affirm that there is seamless traffic flow with moderate movement of vehicles.

“Traffic update along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as at 11:45am, did say that the inward corridor and section of the expressway is experiencing very slow, but moving traffic from the stretch of Lotto to NASFAT, Chinese company around Magboro, Punch-Arepo inward, Warewa, due to high influx of vehicles and the narrowed lane around the construction area.

“The sharp bend coupled with picking and dropping of passengers, all that is causing some slow movement around that area.

“Also, Jos-Bukuru-Vom is experiencing free flow of traffic, while motorists are advised to be careful around Ganaruwa hill. Jos metropolis, road users navigating inward Polo-Gada Biu through the metropolis should be mindful of heavy-duty vehicles and drive with extreme care. At Hill station roundabout to Polo roundabout axis is a sloppy terrain.

“So, the general conclusion is that road users are enjoined to obey traffic rules, avoid dangerous driving and use the roads as responsibly as possible.

“All is going to be well today. This is going to be a great and exciting day. I am sure you are going to have some really good news. Thank you, dear listeners. Stay safe always.”

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation; Boboye Oyeyemi, FRSC corps marshal, and other officials at the inauguration of the National Traffic Radio in Abuja. Photo: Tolani Alli

On his part, Boboye Oyeyemi, the FRSC corps marshal, said the idea for the radio station began in 2014 when he came into office, adding that he studied the Lagos Traffic Radio, and decided that it can be taken to a national level.

“I shared my idea with them and what we have today is history. We now have a National Traffic Radio,” he said.

“This is just the phase one and with this, it covers Abuja and environs and is also on the Google play store. You can download National Traffic Radio app and listen to it in any part of the country. Also, we stream on the website.

“The implication is that every hour, we give the traffic situation nationwide and crash situation and we also encourage road users that as you are travelling, if we see a broken-down vehicle or a crash or anything that is happening, you can call the toll-free line 122 or you call straight to the traffic radio studio.

“It is to get the public involved in road safety management and like the vice-president said, road safety is a collective responsibility.

“All Nigerians must join hands with the corps to make sure that we reduce the carnage on our highways.”