THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has deployed about 1, 200 of its personnel across Nasarawa State to ensure safety on the highways during the Easter celebrations.

Mrs Faustina Alegbe, FRSC Sector Commander in Nasarawa disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia on Wednesday.

Alegbe said the high deployment and patrol of the officers on highways across the state commenced on Wednesday and would end on the 3rd of April.

This, the Sector Commander said was to ensure that motorists travelling to their various destinations for the Easter celebrations get there safely.

“So far so good, the operations start today and will end on the 3rd of April. We have already dispatched our officers to various spots.
“Apart from that, on Sunday, we will visit the Churches to speak to Christian faithful on how to use the roads during the period,” She said.

She explained that officers of the command have also been put on high alert for any eventuality on rescue effort.

She added that public enlightenment officers in the command would be engaged throughout the period visiting motor parks across the state to talk to travelers as well as commercial drivers on safety tips to adhere to while travelling.

“Our public enlightenment officers will be very busy as they too will engage travelers and commercial drivers on preventive measures on our highways because the essence of FRSC is to ensure that road users arrive their destinations safely,” She said.

Alegbe assured that measures have been put in place to ensure officers on the highways are discouraged from demanding and accepting bribes, but should focus fully on preventing crashes and saving lives.

“Surely the temptation will arise. But before our men go out, we engage them in a ‘pre-patrol brief’ where we explain clearly what they are expected to do and not to do.

“We set out machinery in motion that will go and observe their activities.

“Yes, we are totally against corrupt practices on the highway. That is why we do not take it lightly with anyone caught in such tendencies. If found guilty, that person’s appointment may be terminated,” She said.

The Sector Commander thanked the Nasarawa state government for giving the command a new office complex.

She appealed for more support with regards to provision of towing trucks to aid the command in handling articulated vehicles that break down on highways.

“The state government has promised us towing truck which is yet to be given.

“We hope that soon it will be released to us so that we will be able to handle the issue of big trailers and articulated vehicles that breakdown on highways in the state,” She said. (NAN)

– Mar. 28, 2018 @ 15:08 GMT |