NAN)
The Kaduna Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has established a Fire Fighting Unit to save lives in accidents that involve fire outbreaks.
The Sector Commander, Umar Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Kaduna during the flag-off ceremony of the 2018 Ember Months Campaign tagged: “Safety Driving, Safe Arrival”.
According to Ibrahim, the move which is the first and only one in the country, became necessary to avert loss of lives caused by fire outbreaks during accidents.
He said that Kaduna State Government has donated two firefighting trucks.
“Officers of the unit have been trained and will be positioned along the Kaduna-Abuja and Kaduna-Zaria Expressways, for quick response.
“I thank the Kaduna State Government for supporting the corps with the trucks and implementing several road safety policies and programmes in the state.’’
He assured the government that the FRSC will make the best use of the equipment, to further enhance safety on the highways.
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The commander said that the Ember Months Campaign is organised as a public enlightenment campaign of the corps toward ensuring safer roads during festive seasons.
“To sustain the campaign, road shows and rallies will be carried out from now till the end of January at major motor parks and worship places, to create the necessary awareness on safe driving.
“Therefore, every stakeholder has a civic responsibility of ensuring that the message we set out to preach through the campaign is not received as formalities but adequately adhered to guarantee safety of road users,” he said.
Ibrahim called on transport union leaders, public servants, and media organisations to assist the corps in reaching out to as many road users as possible, to ensure accident free festive season.
Inaugurating the trucks, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, commended the command for the efforts toward addressing the menace of reckless driving on highways, particularly during the ember months.
El-Rufai, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Works, Housing and Transport, Malam Murtala Dabo, said that his administration will continue to support the FRSC in achieving its goals.
Also speaking, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, also thanked the Kaduna State Government for its continued support and partnership toward ensuring accident-free roads in the state.
Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Assistant Corp Marshal, Abayomi Omiyale, who is the Zonal Commander in charge of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, urged other states to emulate Kaduna state.
He advised motorists and roads users to abide by all traffic rules and regulations, to prevent avoidable deaths and accidents.
According to him, the decision we take now in our driving attitude will determine how we arrive in 2019; alive or dead, on sick bed or healthy and sound.
On his part, Malam Lawal Kajuru, State Secretary, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, assured the FRSC and other relevant stakeholders of the union’s commitment toward respecting traffic regulations.