The Governor of Anambra State, Dr Willie Obiano, has Said that the operations of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are complementary to the socio-economic activities of the state government.
Obiano, who spoke while receiving the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, at the Government House, Awka, on Monday, hailed the operational activities of the FRSC in the state.
He said that the efforts made by members of the Corps during the last yuletide season in effectively managing traffic situations at the Niger Bridge, Onitsha, was particularly exemplary.
The governor emphasized the need to enforce the use of crash helmet by motor cycle riders as a safety measure, saying he would support the FRSC to rid the state of traffic violators who promote impunity through reckless driving.
Obiano promised to sustain the tempo of road construction and rehabilitation in the state, adding that his action was a deliberate effort to ensure that the state is free of potholes on any of its roads.
“Your men here have been very supportive in managing the traffic situations in the state, especially during the last Christmas and New Year celebrations when they ensured free flow of traffic along the Niger Bridge at Onitsha. Everyone was happy with them, and I want to commend them for that,” he said.
“Let me also assure you that the state government will continue to collaborate with you in the areas of traffic management, efficient licence administration and rescue operations.
“But one area of concern to us is the conduct of bike riders who normally operate without helmet. It is an unsafe practice, and we would support you to rid the state of such impunity.
“We are equally worried about the prevalence of fake licences in the state, which distort our licensing system. That was why the state government recently inaugurated the Task Force that would tackle the challenges and bring the perpetrators to book.
“I do hope that you will make the necessary inputs that could facilitate the work of that committee towards the realisation of the goals, ” Governor Obiano stated.
The Corps Marshal in his remarks, thanked the Governor for his interest in road safety matters, describing him as “a road safety friendly governor.”
According to Oyeyemi, there is the need for continuous collaboration between the relevant stakeholders in tackling the challenges of road safety in the country.
Roaad safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone must play a role, he said.
Oyeyemi further emphasised the nexus between road safety campaigns and efficient licensing system, stressing that state governments as the issuing authorities of the licences must ensure the setting up of functional motor vehicle administration in their states towards efficient licensing system.
He further stated that for seamless operations in the licensing system, there was the need for all stakeholders in the tripartite arrangement to play their roles diligently, promising that FRSC will not fail in its own area.
“I have just addressed my staff at the Sector Command, where I commended them for working very hard during the last year’s special patrol by managing the traffic situation along the Niger Bridge at Onitsha very efficiently.
“I want to thank Your Excellency, for the support to road safety campaigns, especially in the areas of provision of road infrastructures in the state and training of the personnel of the State Traffic Management Agency of which the second batch has just been trained at our Academy at Udi.
“Let me assure Your Excellency, that FRSC will continue to collaborate with the state government in all its road safety policies and programmes to ensure safer road environment in Anambra state,” Corps Marshal Oyeyemi stated.
The Corps Marshal was accompanied on the visit by some principal officers of the FRSC, including the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Theophilus Charles, among others.
