By Ibironke Ariyo

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, says the agency will continue to support the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in its mandate of ensuring safety on Nigerian roads.

Ali said this on Thursday in Abuja when the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Felix Theman, paid a courtesy visit to the agency.

Ali congratulated Theman on his recent appointment as the new sector commander in charge of the territory.

He said it was good that the sector commander hit the ground running since his assumption of office in Abuja, noting the daunting task of managing traffic in the FCT.

According to him, Abuja poses peculiar challenges because “everybody here considers himself an important personality” leading to indiscipline on the roads.

Ali said that NAN had always been a dependable partner in promoting road safety education.

He described the Corps as “visible everywhere and bringing discipline to the roads despite a few black sheep”.

The NAN MD urged Theman to intensify public enlightenment campaigns, particularly in motor parks, against reckless driving, drunk driving, and driving against traffic.

“I think it is time we enacted a law against driving against traffic, because only an unstable person would do such a thing. Unfortunately, in Abuja, we see this all the time.

“We will support you. It is important that we give you all the necessary media support to rid our road of insanity. We wish you best of luck,” he added.

Earlier, Theman said that FRSC bore the huge responsibility of ensuring safety on Nigerian roads, a task requiring not only enforcement but also public education, enlightenment, and advocacy.

He described the media as a fundamental partner in road safety management, stressing that FRSC messages could only reach the wider public effectively through collaboration with organisations like NAN.

Theman recalled that on Wednesday, gridlock along the Giri-Gwagwalada axis was compounded by indiscipline and lack of patience among motorists after truck drivers blocked the road over an altercation.

He appealed for more public cooperation, noting that without discipline and support from road users, the Corps would be handicapped in fulfilling its mandate.

The commander said since assuming office in the FCT, his team had identified major violations, including driving against traffic, overloading, beating traffic lights, and drunk driving.

“In just two weeks, we have apprehended over 500 offenders with close to 1,000 violations. These included those driving against traffic, overloading passengers and goods, and even drunk drivers.

“In one instance, a commercial driver was found drunk as early as 10 a.m., and his passengers didn’t even know.

“He was prosecuted and had his licence suspended for six months, while his vehicle was impounded,” Theman said.

The sector commander said that the command was working with FCT magistrates to ensure consistent prosecution of traffic offenders, as enforcement had to complement public education.

He further expressed concern over pedestrian recklessness, noting that in spite of footbridges, many still risk their lives crossing highways, leading to avoidable deaths.

He assured that the command would sustain daily operations to restore sanity on the roads while deepening its partnership with NAN to escalate safety messages.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ICA/ YMU

Edited by Yakubu Uba