FRSC assures hitch-free Christmas, New Year celebrations in Enugu, others

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Enugu state has said it has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state and its environs, pointing out that road users are guaranteed of safe and obstruction-free yuletide.

Enugu State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Mendie gave the assurance while briefing Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi during his monitoring of traffic situation in parts of the road in the state.

The Corps Marshal who was in the state in continuation of his monitoring activities towards a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations across the country promised to review the deployment profile in state in order to make the operations more successful.

In his briefs, Mendie told the Corps Marshal that the level of arrangement put in place by his Command in concert with the state government towards the success of the yuletide operations was satisfactory, saying the interest being shown by the state government to ensure efficient traffic management particularly along the 9th Mile is encouraging. He further pointed out that a special committee under a commissioner has been constituted and inaugurated by the Governor with membership drawn from stakeholders including the Nigerian Army, Police and Civil Defence Corps.

The Sector Commander added that all the component unit commands have equally made necessary arrangements to tackle the challenges of traffic management during the yuletide, stressing that the staff are committed to improving last year’s record of crash and obstruction control. “To achieve this, we have identified 13 flashpoints within the state capital where efforts would be concentrated by staff during the peak period to ensure that no road obstruction is allowed,” Mendie stated.

The Unit Commander of Nsukka command of the FRSC, Assistant Corps Commander Shaibu Belloo on his part explained that the command is adequately mobilised for the task of containing the perennial road obstruction and crashes in the area, noting that staff and relevant stakeholders have been well engaged towards the exercise. To this end, he disclosed that Tipper drivers within the area have been assisting the Command to fill portions of some dangerous potholes that had caused fatal crashes, while the Rotary club has erected traffic signs at some strategic locations to warn travellers of the dangers ahead.

“The entire workforce of the Command have been mobilised to brace up for the challenges. Opi junction will be the main focus of the operations up to the 9th mile, while Igbo Etiti junction will also be a point of emphasis.

“Officers and men would route line along these points to ensure free flow of traffic. Nsukka metropolis will also receive adequate attention through adequate deployment of staff especially at strategic points like Enugu road by market area; University gate, Beach junction; Odenigbo area and Total roundabout,” the Unit Commander stressed.

reviewing the operational strategies, Oyeyemi commended the staff for their commitment saying Management will continue to reward hard work by staff through enunciation of policies that can adequately address their welfare needs. “FRSC was built on the spirit of selfless service which our men all over the country have imbibed over the years as being reflected in their work ethics. We would continue to work to ensure that the spirit is sustained,” he stated.

The Corps Marshal however urged all road users to play their own part by obeying the traffic rules and regulations and avoid acts capable of undermining safety. He restated the commitment of the Corps towards creating safer road environment in the, country, noting that adequate personnel and logistics professions would continue to be mode to ensure the success of the exercise.

The end of year special operations by the FRSC was flagged off in September and is expected to heighten within the week to be sustained till after the New Year celebration.