FRSC Decries Lack Of Towing Trucks In Abia

The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) sector command in Abia, has decried  lack of towing trucks, saying the development has hindered the evacuation of disused vehicles from major roads.

The Sector Commander, Mr Gilbert Igbokwe, made this known to newsmen  in Umuahia.

Our correspondent reports that abandoned and damaged vehicles abound on major roads in the state owing to the FRSC’ inability to remove such vehicles for free flow of traffic.

“We only resort to patronising private tow truck operators within the limit of our resources.

“We feel pained when abandoned vehicles obstruct the roads because such situations are dangerous.

He said that the worst challenge was that of lack of ambulances to convey accident victims to hospitals.

“We have only one ambulance in the state and it is in Aba and none in Umuahia.

“So we resort to using our patrol vehicles to carry accident victims and this is not conducive for accident victims,” he said.

Igbokwe said the command had no hope of getting such facilities that would aide them in their jobs and urged spirited individuals to come to their rescue.

He said that men of the FRSC were adequately prepared for the Yuletide, stressing that adequate preparations had been made to curb traffic challenges.

He said that the recent promotion of 14 of their men to the next grade level would serve as morale booster to keep faith with commuters.

Corps Marshall Osita Chidoka had during a working visit to the state vowed not to promote any officer from the state.

According to him, none of the FRSC personnel could explain the meaning of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) which is in line with offering best quality management system in traffic control.

“Our men are now in high spirit and it is in the interest of the state because it will impact on their work.’’

Igbokwe said that two officers were promoted to the rank of Assistant Corps Commander; six to Chief Route Commander; one to Superintendent Route Commander, adding that one officer was promoted to Route Commander and four were elevated to Deputy Route Commander.

Igbokwe also said that 692 traffic offenders were arrested and tried by the FRSC Mobile Courts.

“Drivers in the state are interested with what they make. They commit offences and we have found them difficult to correct.’’