The Borno State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has flagged-off the 2023 Ember Months Campaign in Maiduguri on Thursday.
Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony at the Borno Express Transport Corporation Terminus, the FRSC Sector Commander, Ashiru T. Saminu, reiterated the commitment of Corps as a lead agency in Road Traffic administration and safety management to put in place measures and programmes to reduce crashes that results to injuries and deaths on highways.
Saminu said that from January to date, a total of 109 road crashes were recorded involving 123 vehicles and 602 people out of which 37 people lost their lives while 206 people sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The Ember months Campaign is organized by the Corps in order to sensitize all road users and stakeholders in the Road transportation sector to be safety conscious while driving on the highways.
“In addition, strategies are often organized to meet specific target offences like over speeding, overloading, dangerous driving, and a whole lot of other traffic offence.
“The Theme for this year’s campaign is ‘SPEED THRILLS, BUT KILLS, DRIVE RESPONSIBILY AND AVOID OVERLOADING’. The choice of this year’s theme is premised on the fact that excessive speeding and tyre burst have been identified as some of the prevailing causes of Road Traffic Crashes with higher numbers of fatalities especially during this period as a result of a driver’s attitude.
“Road Traffic Crashes during the year under review occur mostly as a result of excessive speed, fatigue and night journey. Poor vehicle maintenance is a contributory factor so it goes to say that the factors responsible are human-induced’’, Saminu said.
He lauded Governor Babagana Zulum for the construction of road networks, bridges, and rehabilitation of existing ones across the state to ensure seamless transportation and safety of road users in Borno State.
He also acknowledged the unwavering fatherly support to the Corps by His Eminence, the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.
“Let me also appreciate the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Air force, the Nigeria Police, DSS, NSCDC and other Paramilitary Agencies for their continuous support in the course of discharging our mandate.
“The Collaboration and support accorded to the Command by Emergency response agencies such as NEMA, The Fire Services, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society cannot be over emphasized.
“Lastly, permit me to recognize the efforts and contributions of our Special Marshals, Road Safety Club members, stakeholders in the transportation sector including the Borno Express Transport Cooperation, NURTW, NARTO, RTEAN Borno Tricycle Association amongst others that contributed in one way or the other to safety of lives and the success of this programme,” the sector commander added while stressing the need for collective responsibility in safety matter.
Responding on behalf of transporters, the State Chairman of NARTO, Alhaji Jidda Bishara, and the General Manager of Borno Express, Alhaji Grema Zanna Kyari, assured the commitment of their organisations to safety policies to reduce carnages on the road.
