Special Marshals of
the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have pledged to continue rendering necessary assistance to the State command of the corps, with a view to stemming road crashes in Edo.
The state coordinator of the Special Marshals, Mr Friday Ekhator, made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in Benin.
Ekhator said besides participating in the national patrol every third Saturday of the month, the Special Marshals in the state had increased their level of activities in ensuring safer roads in Edo, being a transit route.
“ I must tell you that Special Marshals in the state have been very wonderful. The number increases every month in terms of appearance for national patrols. And that is very encouraging.
“ Of the 700 Special Marshals we have in the state, about 500 always participate in the monthly exercise.
He said that “we will increase the level of our involvement and activities that have earned the state the number one position nationwide.
“Special Marshals are also scored for their activities in the country and Edo State came first in the last quarter assessment and we hope to retain that position.
“ Because of that, we are trying to see if we can go the extra mile to see that those things that we need to do to enable us to retain that position will be done.
“ For instance, when it comes to the issue of donations, which is a factor in the appraisal, Edo State erected an enlightenment signpost at the Ovia bridge, with the inscription: “Dangerous terrain, drop your speed.’’
“That is not the only thing we have done. Before now, the Abudu Command office building of the Federal Road Safety Corps was not painted with the colours of the corps.
“The Special Marshals deemed it fit to paint it for them. We also helped the Edo State Sector Command to refurbish one of its grounded patrol vans.
“So Special Marshals in the State have really assisted the Corps in the last quarter,’’ he said.
Ekhator, however, decried the increasing rate of motorists’ hostility towards the Special Marshals, while on patrol.
“The truth is that motorists see us more as enemies than even the regular Marshals, just because we don’t compromise.
“ Nobody wants to stop for you when you stop them on the highway. They feel we are just out to punish or fine them whenever we stop them.
“But they forget that we are out to enlighten them most times we are out on patrol.
“But the essence of the job is that we want to ensure that the roads are safer for everybody and that the vehicles on the roads are roadworthy,’’ he added.