“Ember months”: FRSC records 19 deaths in 38 road crashes in October

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone Rs 5, has so far recorded 19 deaths from Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) since the flag-off of the “ember months” campaign across the zone.

The News Agency Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the zone comprises Edo, Delta and Anambra, with the zonal headquarters in Benin.

Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) of the corps, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Benin on Tuesday.

Kumapayi disclosed that the deaths were recorded from the 38 RTCs that occured in the zone in October.

He also said that within the period, 77 persons were reported injured in the crashes, while 10 fatal cases were reported, with 21 serious cases, and seven minor cases.

The ZCO noted that 60 per cent of the crashes was due to excessive speed, and said the zone had re-commenced aggressive enforcement of the Speed Limiting Device (SPV) regulation on commercial vehicles.

He said that since the flag-off of the campaign with the theme “Maintain Speed, Avoid Night Travel, Enjoy Quality Road Experience” across the zone, there had been remarkable decrease in RTCs.

According to him, the command will ensure that every salient issue in the theme, especially speed and quality road experience are  brought to the fore.

“In view of this, especially to ensure that travellers enjoy quality road experience, we conducted a road safety audit to identify very bad roads and reached out to relevant authorities to fix the areas identified.

“The reports were submitted to the various tiers of government in the zone, and I’m happy to inform you that the concerned authorities have commenced efforts to correct the defects.

“For example, lasting solution is being made by the Federal Government through it’s intervention agency, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), on the failed portion of the Sapele road axis in Benin.

“The same thing is happening at the Amasea area of the Onitsha-Awka road in Anambra.

“For speed, we noticed a decline in the compliance level by commercial drivers in installing the SPV on their vehicles.

“So, we have re-commenced aggressive enforcement of the SPV on commercial vehicles,” he said.

Kumapayi further disclosed that within the next two to three weeks, “Operation Zero Tolerance” would commence in zone, and warned motorists to ensure that their vehicles and documents were up to date.

He particularly advised those using unregistered vehicles to ensure that they registered them.

He stressed that the corps would impound any unregistered vehicle found on the road and would not entertain any excuse or appeal from any one.

The ZCO, while revealing that the corps had zero tolerance for all forms of extortion by its personnel, disclosed that any staff found wanting would face appropriate disciplinary action.

“I want to sound this as a warning to the motoring public and particularly our traditional institutions to stop meddling in the affairs of the FRSC by pleading for erring staff.

“The FRSC has zero tolerance for all forms of extortion and as such any staff found wanton will be dealt with accordingly.

“Coming to beg for them by any person under whatever guise is aiding and abetting.

“We also will not tolerate assault on any of our staff as any culprit will be prosecuted,” Kumapayi added. (NAN)