The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advocated for more collaboration with stakeholders in the transport sector to minimise the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads.

The FRSC engages stakeholders in Sokoto to reduce the overloading of animals, goods and passengers in trucks and other vehicles to curb accidents.

Speaking at a sensitisation held at Sokoto Central Garage on Monday, the FRSC sector commander in the state, Abdullahi Maikano, said the exercise was part of Corps Marshal’s initiative across the nation.

Mr Maikano said the effort was to mitigate road crashes, fatalities and fire outbreaks by trailers conveying human beings and animals.

He explained that the engagement was aimed at educating drivers, owners of trailers and trucks as well as traders on the need to be safety conscious at all times.

The commander frowned at the increasing cases of overloading of vehicles particularly with goods, animals and passengers.

At the Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA) garage, Mr Maikano warned the drivers against dangers of night travelling, overloading, projected loads, over-speeding and carrying of extra fuel in their vehicles.

He stressed the need for drivers to avoid carrying fuel while embarking on any journey, “because it leads to many fatalities, therefore, I urge you to abide by road traffic regulations.”

The sector commander further called on all categories of drivers to ensure proper condition of vehicles, cooperate with officials of government controlled agencies, obey patrol officials and adhere to user guides.

In his address, the secretary of Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Muhammad Labaran, thanked the corps marshal, Dauda Ali-Biu for the campaign and promised the union resolve to cooperate with the corps to achieve safety on the roads.

Speaking also, the chairman of truck drivers’ union, Sokoto State chapter, Buhari Habibu, underscored the importance of the campaign for the protection of lives and property.

The general manager, SSTA, Ibrahim Muhammad expressed  appreciation to FRSC and called on drivers to abide by all safety rules and regulations, while promising to enforce the instructions, teachings and knowledge on their members.

The exercise featured questions and answers as well as a demonstration of safety guides.

(NAN)