Yuletide: FRSC deploys 36,000 personnel for special patrol

• Warns motorists against overloading, dangerous driving

THE Federal Road Safety Corps has deployed 36,000 of its personnel comprising regular and special marshals to critical corridors across the country for the 2016 end of the year special operations.

Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known on Thursday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the efforts of the Corps to ensure free-flow of traffic and prompt rescue operations during the Yuletide.

He warned motorists against overloading and reckless driving, saying these were some of the factors responsible high level of road traffic crashes on the Nigerian highways.

While expressing the commitment of the Corps to addressing the challenges of increased human and vehicular traffic, perennial road obstructions and attendant road carnage that characterised the festive period, Oyeyemi said this year’s end of of the year special patrol was planned after carrying out painstaking studies on trends during this period from the past operations.

“Accordingly, the Corps has massively deployed 36,000 of its personnel comprising regular and special marshal and logistics such as power bikes, ambulances, patrol vehicles and rescue equipment to critical corridors across the country,” he said.

He added that heavy duty trucks have been provided for easy clearance of obstructions from the highways and removal of vehicles of recalcitrant offenders when the need arises.

Oyeyemi, said the management staff, zonal commanding officers, zonal heads of operations and other senior officers have been deployed to monitor the exercise along the critical corridors.

He noted that the special “ember” months patrol with theme: “Crash the Crash” commenced on December 19, is expected to last till 15th January 15, 2016.

According to him, the special patrol involves participation of law enforcement agencies particularly police and military as well as transport unions with support of some civil society organisations.

He disclosing that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would be on ground to support the FRSC operations, the Corps Marshal said the aerial component of the special patrol would be flagged off today (Friday) at the Domestic Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to assist in monitoring traffic trends and giving prompt directives for remedial actions to boost the efficiency of the operations.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support to the Corps, saying earlier in the year, the Corps received 300 vehicles consisting of patrol vehicles, tow trucks and ambulances.

Oyeyemi, said this support with the commitment of the officers and men of the Corps contributed enormously to the efficiency recorded in the Corps’ operations during the outgoing year.

He said: “I wish to point out that from the strategic goals of 15 per cent reduction in road traffic crashes and 25 per cent in fatality rate set for 2015, there is convincing evidence that the Corps is on course.

“For instance, as at September this year, we have achieved 77.19 per cent of the expectation in road traffic crashes reduction, while 83.33 per cent was achieved in respect of the fatality rate reduction,” he said.