The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has warned motorists against drunk driving, overloading and other infractions during the Eid el Kabir celebration that will jeopardize lives of people on the highway.
He has also called for patience and collective vigilance on the roads to make the celebration hitch-free.
Oyeyemi in a Sallah message made available to newsmen by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Monday in Abuja, assured members of the public that FRSC’s commitment to ensuring safer road environments before, during and after any celebration that attracts increased human and vehicular traffic remains unwavering.
He called on the motorists to drive with care and show patience to other road users as a reflection of the spirit of sacrifice which the season symbolises.
According to him, Eid el Kabir is traditionally a feast of sacrifice which provides an opportunity for all Muslims to reflect on the sanctity of lives and mercies shown to mankind by God as evidenced by the substitution of a ram with the life of Ismail.
He further noted that the lesson of the sacrifice demonstrates how God takes the sanctity of lives and need for people to take measures that can ensure human safety.
“The magnanimity shown to prophet Abraham by way of God substituting a ram for the life of his son, Ismail as is being observed in the Eid el kabir celebration is a great lesson for mankind,” he stated.
Oyeyemi, therefore, enjoined the people to avoid acts capable of exposing their lives and that of their neighbours to dangers during the celebration.
While congratulating the Muslim faithful on the celebration, he stated that adequate numbers of FRSC Regular and Special Marshals, as well as logistics, have been mobilised for effective traffic management, rescue operations and support to road travellers across the country.
To achieve the desired results, the Corps Marshal directed patrol teams to focus more on specific offences like Wrongful Overtaking, Use of Phone while Driving, Traffic light violation, drunk driving, Overloading and lane indiscipline as well as the use of extra lights by articulated vehicles during the special operations.
He solicited the cooperation of members of the public and enjoins motorists to obey the directives of the personnel of the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies who have been deployed for the assignment across the country.
He also appealed to members of the public not to hesitate to contact the FRSC Call Centre through the toll-free line:122 in the event of a road crash and other emergencies for a prompt response, saying all FRSC facilities would remain open and functional during the celebration and beyond to attend to members of the public.