DETERMINED to stem road mishaps in major roads in the Southeast zone, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Thursday conducted an aerial surveillance in the area with a call on motorists to be patient and obey traffic instructions as they drive through roads this season.
The Zonal Commanding Officer of the commission, Mr Samuel Obayemi, who led the aerial (helicopter) surveillance, said that although traffic was light in major road corridors in the zone; visibility had remained poor due to the harmattan haze.
He also urged motorists to obey traffic officers and men as well as sister security agencies on the road in order to have a hitch-free and secured journeys.
“In the aerial surveillance to major road corridors in the South East; we observed that traffic was light while FRSC regular and special marshals as well as sister security agencies were all positioned in critical spots on the road corridors.
“I will advise motorists to be patient, drive with caution since visibility is very poor. They should obey traffic signs and instructions on the roads. For those roads under reconstruction, I would say motorists should maintain lane discipline. They should avoid overtaking since it is only one section of these roads under re-construction are used by motorists to and from,” he said.
The zonal commanding officer said that FRSC personnel now work three shifts to ensure 24 hours patrol and surveillance on the roads.
“We are assuring every Nigerian using these roads of their safety and presence of FRSC personnel as well as sister security agencies even at late hours,” he said.
The aerial surveillance, which lasted for two hours, covered Enugu-Port Harcourt; Enugu-Onitsha and Owerri-Onitsha roads.
Other roads monitored were: Enugu-Nuskka; 9th Mile-Nsukka; 9th Mile by-pass; Enugu-9th Mile-Udi-Oji River roads.
It was observed that the helicopter made hovers at the River Niger Bridge in Onitsha as well as 9th Mile Corner where the Zonal Commanding Officer gave specific instructions to FRSC personnel on ground.