Ember months: Biu orders setting up of mobile courts

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Dauda Biu, has directed that mobile courts be set up across states of the federation including Akwa Ibom for the trial of road violators during the upcoming ember months period.

The acting corps marshal gave the directive during the Ember months special patrol flag-off rally at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area on Tuesday.

Our correspondent reports that the theme of 2022 Ember Months Campaign is, “Avoid Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Safe.”

Biu, who was represented by Deputy Corps Commander Ekaette Bassey, said that the areas FRSC would be paying attention throughout the period will include; effective traffic control, failure to install/use speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles and overloading.

Others are; lane indiscipline, driver’s license violation, removal of rickety vehicles on the road and other obstructions, driving with expired/worn out tyres and without a spare tyre.

He stated that the reason behind the measure was to cut down on road traffic crashes and the attendant loss of lives and properties usually experience during the period.

“You are all aware that the yuletide is one of the periods when Nigerians travel across the length and breadth of the country, especially the Christian faithful.

“The end of the year also provides opportunities for our sons and daughters to come home for family reunions, meetings, festivals, and ceremonies, just to mention but a few.

“Owing to this development, our roads have always witnessed high vehicular traffic congestion, gridlocks, road traffic crashes, and the attendant loss of lives and properties.

“This situation is further worsened by the excesses of motorists along our corridors which leave horrifying nightmares in the minds of stakeholders, travellers, government, etc.

“I direct that mobile courts sitting be conducted throughout the period across the federation.

“All patrol vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, motorbikes, and other operational equipment in the categories of radar guns, alkalizers, and all other operational logistics materials have been fully deployed for the exercise.

Biu added that the corps would be embarking on the patrol in collaboration with the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police Force, among other sister security agencies.

Earlier in his remarks, the Akwa Ibom Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said that the ember months campaign was to erase the menace of traffic indiscipline.

He called on motorists to reduce speed, avoid overloading and change all worn-out tyres to prevent death and serious injuries on particularly pedestrians and other vulnerable road users as the yuletide season is drawing close.