RTC Drivers Hail Management Over First Aid Boxes

Drivers with the Rivers Transport Company (RTC), have hailed the management of the company for providing first aid boxes to their fleet of drivers to cushion effect of  emergency illment or accident on the road.

Some of the drivers who spoke with The Tide at their Base Park at Waterlines, Port Harcourt on Monday said the management’s gesture was worthy of emulation by all road users.

According to them,  the provision of the first aid boxes with some drugs, cotton wools and other materials would enable the drivers administer first aid treatments to accident victims or emergency ill-health cases, and assured of proper utilisation in case of any emergency.

The Senior Chief Driver of the company, Mr. Samuel Lelegipre said he was  impressed with the management’s foresight as such is necessary for every commercial and private vehicles, and opined that with the training acquired, he is optimistic that they would put it into action whenever the need arose.

Mr. Lelegipre, who described the provision as a right step in the right direction assured that the drivers would make use of them effectively.

Another senior driver, Mr. Cyril Nwankwo said he appreciated the gesture as it would revive passengers and drivers in case of sudden ill-health while travelling or minor accident and also thanked the management for the health care of the drivers and passengers.

Mr. Livinus Nnodim, an organic driver with RTC said the provision was very good especially for those plying the highways and recommended that all road users should endeavour to have one in their vehicles in the event of any sudden fever or minor accident, before going to hospital for proper medicament.

A Frenchise driver, Njoku Godspower with number FM 0261 Onitsha route expressed joy over the gesture and recalled an incident he had with touts sometime ago along. Igwuruta road when he parked his vehicle for a passenger who was sick, and opined that such embarrassments would be avoided with the provision of the first aid boxes and also commended the management for their vision.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Rivers Transport Company (RTC) Pastor Eyo Bassey had said 500 first aid boxes had so far been given to the drivers in case of any accident or sudden ill-health on the roads, saying more were still expected.

The provision of the first aid boxes is one of the requirement of Federal Road Safety Commission to all transporters.

Collins Barasimeye