FERMA Urges Observance Of Traffic Rules

The country’s highways can be accident-free and safe only if motorists and other road users observe road traffic rules and regulations always, the FERMA boss said on Saturday.

Mr Kabir Abdullahi, the Chief Executive of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the observation in Abuja shortly after the FRSC monthly jogging exercise.

Our correspondent reports that the exercise was aimed at sensitising road users to the need to obey traffic rules for safer road use.

Represented by Mr Moruf Oluwa, FERMA’s Head of Internal Audit, Abdullahi said the agency was putting in place necessary accessories that would promote safety on the roads.

“A little caution will make the roads to be free and accident-free, and the agency will continue to partner with the FRSC to make the roads safe, not only in the ‘ember months’ but also at all times,” he said.

Mr Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, in his remarks, also said that ensuring safety on the roads was a collective responsibility.

He urged the public to join hands with the FRSC to make the roads free and safe.

“Road safety should be seen as a collective responsibility. Everybody has the responsibility because if you don’t keep to your responsibility, you can cause serious problems.

“You either cause your death or the death of others or damage property.

“While we are trying to make the environment very safe for you, you also help us to observe road traffic rules and regulations so that together we will be able to get to where we want to get to,” he said.

Chidoka, who was represented by Mr Aminu Dutse, the Deputy Corps Marshal, Training, Standard and Certification, said overloading by motorists was one of the traffic rules being violated.

He, however, gave assurance that the FRSC would tackle the problem.

On public perception of the gravity of any traffic offence, the corps marshal said: “No traffic offence can be said to be slight.

“The slightest traffic offence can cause an accident which may lead to deaths. Our emphasis has been on driving safely.

“We do not lay emphasis on a particular offence. All offences are treated as the same. Therefore, all violations will be definitely discouraged and sanctioned,” he said.

The theme of the October jogging exercise was “Promoting safer roads for fuller lives during the ember months”.