Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has called on Road traffic officers (RTO) and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) to impose severe penalties on traffic violators during this Yuletide.
He made this call during the induction of the RTO/VIO Majors. The event also officially signals the Motor Administration/VIO Ember Roadshow in 2023, with the theme “Safety first, drive to survive” to raise safety awareness among road users during the “Ember Months”.
Governor Bassey Otu, who the Commissioner represented for works and infrastructure, Hon Ankpo Pius, maintained that the government frowns at drivers who drive under the influence of narcotics and advised drivers to be more conscious and careful while on the road.
The Commissioner, who was one of the inductees, mentioned that any driver who damages the state’s infrastructure through careless driving would be fined.
“I have been given a Mayor today, but I have been working as a Mayor before now. I want to advise drivers to be more conscious and careful during this period. I will not take it kindly with any driver who takes narcotics and drives carelessly to destroy our infrastructure. Anyone who destroys our infrastructure will pay from his pocket after assessing the level of damage done on such infrastructure, he said.
Also speaking, The RTO/VIO Director, Cross River State Command, Sir Paul Bepeh, noted that the programme stands to achieve safe practices on the road, and imbibe in drivers safety culture and habits while driving.
He cautioned that vehicles will face impoundment if they are non-compliant with safety rules and regulations, urging all drivers to be safety conscious and make sure their vehicle meets the road worthiness standards.
“The theme of this year’s programme, lays more emphasis on safety, because it is the key in driving to survive at all times. Therefore our message to all drivers this year’s ember month is to avoid, and eradicate all recklessness and bad driving on the road e.g driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, snuff, distractions and other intoxicants.
“Drivers should note that the road worthiness of a vehicle, begins with the driver itself. The vehicle inspection officers will be out on the road this ember month to ensure that all drivers adequately maintain safety. I beg to say that, the road worthiness of the vehicle and its driver, is the basic foundation of safety on the road, he hinted.
Responding, one of the inductees, Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the governor on General Duties remarked that it is a call for higher responsibility and a call for duty.
“In the coming days in partnership with other agencies and relevant stakeholders, we will ensure proper demarcation of the roads, which will enable drivers know where to stop, where to pick up a passenger and designated loading point across the metropolis, he disclosed.
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