Abakaliki, June 16, 2024 – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi has deployed 620 personnel to ensure free vehicular movements during the Eid-el-kabir celebration in the state.
The State FRSC Sector Commander, Henry Igwe, disclosed this on Sunday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital, while unveiling the Corps’ preparation for the celebration.
Igwe said that the deployed personnel comprise of special and regular marshals who would be stationed at strategic locations across the state to ensure free flow of traffic.
“The exercise aims at checking road traffic crashes and ensuring prompt response to eventualities.
“We will mobilise 15 vehicles, one ambulance, tow-trucks with the active support of special marshals across six units in the state.
“We will also pay special attention to Afikpo Local Government Area of the state where there is significant population of Muslim faithful,” he said.
He noted that the command had introduced key safety initiatives to tackle the excesses of road users in ensuring a safe celebration.
“These initiatives include a ban on the use of articulated vehicles to convey human beings, discouraging night journeys, driving when fatigued, speed violations and drunk-driving among others.
“We are effectively collaborating with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and state judiciary for a timely prosecution of traffic offenders during the celebration and beyond.
“We have stepped-up measures to check driving under the influence of alcohol and other banned substances.
“The command, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has deployed mechanisms at motor parks to check drivers who drive under alcohol influence,” he said.
“The task force has successfully impounded 222 articulated vehicles conveying 3,169 passengers perched on top of goods and animals.
“This effort has greatly checked road crashes with attendant fatalities associated with the practice.
“We advise commuters to always report reckless drivers to the command and other security outposts on the highways.