Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, on Wednesday, said that his administration would continue to focus on development of road infrastructure in order to reduce road crashes and enhance safety and free movement of traffic in the state.

Mr Bello gave the assurance during the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kogi sector command’s 2023 ember months flag-off campaign in Lokoja.

The campaign was with the theme: “Speed Thrills But Kills: Drive Responsibility And Avoid Overloading.”

Represented by the executive chairman, Kogi Health Insurance Trust Fund, Abdulmalik Teina, the governor said that road infrastructure development became imperative in view of the peculiar traffic situation in the state as a gateway.

“My government has commenced rehabilitation work on Kogi township roads, with some still ongoing, while some areas are either completed or nearing completion, just to reduce carnages on our highways.

“My government will continue to offer its support to the FRSC, Kogi Sector Command, toward ensuring that the citizens of Kogi and all Nigerians plying the roads in the state enjoy hitch-free yuletide.

“I enjoin you all to strive hard to attain crash-free ember months’ activities, believing that this envisaged cooperation between FRSC and all stakeholders will secure the targeted paradigm shift for a reduced or zero road crash in Kogi,” he said.

Mr Bello urged transport unions, market women, traders and other road users to join hands with FRSC and the state traffic management agency by adhering to traffic rules and regulations that would reduce road carnage.

Earlier in his welcome address, the FRSC sector commander, Samuel Oyedeji, enjoined motorists to, in the spirit of safety, avoid speeding, dangerous overtaking and over-loading.

Mr Oyedeji identified the use of phones while driving, night journeys and trips to unknown places, managing faulty vehicles while on the road, use of alcohol and drugs and driving while under medications, among others, as factors contributing to road crashes.

“In order to create a safe motoring environment where road traffic crashes will result in no death, the command has put in place series of projects between now and the first half of January 2024 to ensure zero road traffic crashes in the state.

“We have also created emergency camps where personnel are deployed during the period to manage traffic and ensure timely rescue of road traffic crash victims.

“Deployment of the personnel to junctions, blind and black spots to dispense traffic gridlock, cautioning erring drivers and controlling traffic in order to ensure traffic movements are done with utmost consciousness are also part of the arrangement,” he said.

The commander also said that the corps had activated the use of mobile court to try erring drivers and others.

“FRSC will not rest on its oars but will continue to pursue its purpose and give the desired value to human lives in order to earn for the nation the deserved dignity in the comity of safe nations in the world,” he said.

Also speaking, the Olu of Oworo kingdom, Oba Mohammed Adoga, commended FRSC for its efforts at keeping highways free of road crashes through its continuous education and enlightenment campaigns across the state.

The traditional ruler urged motorists to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations so as to save the lives of innocent citizens on the highways.

(NAN)