The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would commence full enforcement on the overloading of vehicles by drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger by Sept. 29.
The Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of FCT and Niger, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Shehu Mohammed, said this during a stakeholder's meeting on `Ember Months’ on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme for this year’s Ember Months campaign is, ‘Avoid Speeding, Overloading, and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive’.
Mohammed said that aim of the meeting with the stakeholders was for the Corps to restrategize and demonstrate its results.
He said that the meeting was also to find ways to reduce Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) during the ember months.
“The Corps is looking on how to create a safe motoring environment for all road users in FCT and Niger.”
Mohammed decried the increase in the rate at which motorists overload their vehicles in the FCT and Niger, especially during ember months.
“Different categories of vehicles still violate the warnings from the corps on the need to avoid overloading of vehicles,’’ he said.
According to him, we have agreed that we will start enforcement on overloading of vehicles by Sept. 29 and as regards the political campaigns coming up, we want to strategize with the union members.
“We also resolve to do this with safety and security in mind. Some of the drivers do not listen to us when we urge them against overloading vehicles.
“So enforcement will begin and we will arrest anyone who goes against the law by overloading their vehicles,’’ he said.
The FRSC boss warned all drivers to desist from the act of overloading as this was an offense FRSC would never overlook.
Mohammed advised drivers to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before hitting the road adding that sound mind was also needed for driving safety.
The Sector Commander, FCT command, Mr. Oga Ochi said that activities of ember months had started in the territory adding that the essence of the meeting was to ensure that all union members were carried along.
Ochi said that one of the major problems facing road safety in FCT was overloading.
“We have told the unions to engage their members and tell them we cannot allow overloading in FCT.
“We are looking at ensuring zero crashes in the FCT during this ember months and that is one of our major objectives this year,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Shehu Shugaba, President of Painted taxis, FCT, said that it was important for the union leaders to go back to the drivers to sensitize them against the overloading of vehicles.
“What we need is to help the FRSC because drivers understand our language better and when they listen to us, they will adhere strictly to those rules and regulations.
“Enforcement will start from our place before FRSC. They need to understand that no one will rescue them when they engage in such. I, personally will not go to rescue anyone that is arrested,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting were the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and Road Transport Owners, among others.
