Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sokoto zone is mapping out strategies aim at ensuring free flow of traffic and ensuring safety of lives and property during the forthcoming Argungu International Fishing Festival taking place in the first week of March 2020.
FRSC is also tackling issues of overloading, dangerous driving as well as enforce number plate regulations throughout the zone comprising of Sokoto,.Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Zonal commanding officer (ZCO), assistant corps marshal Kayode Olagunju in charge of Sokoto and Kebbi states disclosed this while on a courtesy call to the Emir of Argungu, Muhammad Mera in his palace recently.
The ZCO appreciated the support and cooperation of the Emir and the Emirate Council to FRSC and assured the royal father that the Corps will continue to partner with the community to evolve better road culture in the area.
He informed the Emir that the FRSC headquarters has also assured of interventions that would result in effective management of traffic during the festival, more-so with activities Motor Rally from Abuja to Argungu and cycling competition that will take place on the road.
The traffic density is expected to be high as the festival attracts global attention hence influx of people into the community. Olagunju also informed the monarch that three help areas that would work twenty four hours would also be established in the area to assist during emergencies.
He disclosed that ambulances will be provided and marshals will be stationed at those critical points to render assistance to tourists and other road users. He assured that FRSC would collaborate with other security agencies to protect people and properties before, during and after the festival.
In his response, the Emir thanked the FRSC for aligning with the hopes and aspirations of the people of Kebbi state in ensuring road safety. He assured the FRSC of his maximum support as the community believes in sanctity of lives.
He appreciated the quick response of the Corps marshal in providing new vehicles to the Argungu unit command among other logistics and commended the efforts of the officers and men of the corps in the area.
The monarch enjoined the unit command to step up its enlightenment and enforcement activities in the area and admonished all road users to always comply with traffic rules and regulations.
He condemned the act of putting passengers in the trunk of vehicles. He called on vehicle operators to desist from overloading their vehicles and conveying together animals and persons in vehicles and decried loss of many lives due to the unsafe acts. The Royal Father believes prosecution of violators will discourage people from unsafe practices on the road calling on all stakeholders to collaborate.
MIKE OCHONMA
