From AMEDU JOSEPH, Lokoja
Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, has deployed 1,250 officers to Kogi State to ensure free flow of traffic before, during and after this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of FRSC, Idris Fika disclosed this an interview with our correspondent.
Fika while expressing the readiness of the command to ensure a hitch free celebration, noted that, the officers had been deployed to strategic areas across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
According to him, drivers plying the routes of Kogi State should avoid over loading and ensure that, passengers are compelled to wear facemask in line with the Covid-19 protocols.
He said the command will not hesitate to try any motorist who violate traffic rules.
Fika added that, the state which is housing eight units command and two outpost will put all measures in place to avoid unnecessary crashes on the road.
“Kogi is a transit state to many other states in the country. Having this in mind, we have put everything in place to ensure that motorists is move freely on the road without any hitches.
“Against this background, it is important for all motorist passing through this state to maintain speed limit while traveling. It is someone that is alive that celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
“Drivers must drive carefully, and they must reduce their speed especially in this raining season. Driving under the rain is very dangerous especially at high speed.
” We are currently in the midst of this deadly pandemic called corona virus. It is real. So, all passengers, including drivers must observe strictly all the Covid-19 protocol by wearing face mark and maintain social distancing.
“The use of face mark is mandatory. Commercial vehicles is mandatory for them to take half capacity of their vehicle. For example, in 10 seater vehicles, drivers are expected to carry not more than five passengers instead of the usually 10. Any driver found wanting on this will not be spared”.
When asked if the command will institute Mobile Courts when motorists flout the warning, the Sector Commander averred that, ” If the need arises, Mobile Courts will be there. We are also going around, informing people to observe the covid-19 protocols. We are also enforcing by booking and fining motorist that refuse to adhere to this directive. We are very serious about it on the observance of covid-19 rules. Covid-19 is real and we advice the entire Nigerians not to derail from the federal government directive as collectively we can kick corona virus out of Nigeria”.
