Sector Commander cautions commercial motorists, other road users against indiscipline on roads.

Akaiso, Akaiso, Uyo.

The sector Commander, Akwa Ibom sector Command of Federal road safety corps, Corps commander Matthew O. Olonisaye has cautioned all road users, especially the commercial drivers against reckless driving and other infractions while on the roads.

CC Olonisaye gave the warning at the just concluded one day sensitization workshop organized by Federal Road Safety Corps, Akwa Ibom sector Command in conjunction with the state ministry of justice for road users.

At the event held on the open field opposite Nwaniba Water Fountain along Edet Akpan four lane Road, the Sector Commander listed the common road infractions often committed by commercial drivers and even private motorists to include driving against traffic, driving of worn-out vehicles with exrpired driving license.

Others are driving on one lane, driving mechanically deficient vehicles and overloading and so many more that space constraints may not allow for full listing.

Speaking further, CC Olonisaye said the purpose of the sensitization workshop was to remind road users on the need to imbibe discipline while on the roads. In the same vein, he informed ‘keke’ riders that the second variant of Covid 19 pandemic called Delta variant was even more deadly, hence they should carry only two passengers as against the current practice of three at the back seat and one in front.

Also, the sector Commander informed the Keke riders of plan by the state ministry of transport and solid minerals in collaboration with FRSC to resume the issuance of riders permit for easy identification of Keke riders in event of commission of crimes such as rape and armed robbery.

The two information were not well received by Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria- TOAN who led other groups of commercial Keke riders to the workshop. They complained that due to economic hardship occasioned by Covid 19 they won’t be able to meet up if they should comply.

On the crisis between TOAN and NURTW, he declined comment adding that was outside their mandate.

Also speaking separately, the Representatives of both the commissioners of the state ministry of justice and that of transport and solid minerals, lauded the Federal Roads Safety Corps for organizing the sensitization workshop, describing it as apt and timely.

They expressed hope that if the participants put to practice what they have been told at the workshop there would be a reduction of casualty on the roads in the state as ‘Ember’ months noted for increase in road activities are gradually inching in.

Apart from complaining of the plan to reintroduce issuance of riders permit, the chairman of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Comrade Effiong Effiong used the opportunity to denounce membership of NURTW, saying that there is no correlation between the two.

Attempt to get him on phone to debunk or affirm the allegation by representatives of NURTW that members of TOAN defaced their busses by using iron rod to tear off the  inscription of NURTW didn’t yield fruits as there was no response from him.

But one of his lieutenants who opted to speak on condition of anonymity told this paper that the chairman’s silence may not be unconnected with the fact that the commissioner of transport and solid minerals, Chief Uno Etim Uno has stepped into the matter with a view to finding a permanent solution to the crisis.