Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has flagged-off the 2023 Ember Months campaign.
The campaign tagged, “operation zero tolerance” to ensure safety of lives and properties of the people, and organised by the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, Gombe Command, was conducted at the Gombe Line Terminus near Gombe Old Market in the metropolis.
Performing the event, Governor Inuwa called on all motorists and road users to shun drugs and obey traffic regulations while using the roads for safer roads and well-being of the people.
Represented by his deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau, the governor explained that his administration is doing everything possible in terms of roads and infrastructural development to ensure people enjoy good lives, pointing out that it is expected that people must imbibe the right attitude towards usage of the roads for the good of all.
He said, “This year’s theme, “SPEED THRILLS BUT KILLS, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY AND AVOID OVERLOADING,” is apt, considering the challenges of increased cost of transportation due to fuel subsidy removal and increased dependence on public transportation to meet up with transport needs by members of the public.
“In Gombe State, there is increased patronage of motorcycles and Keke Napep instead of private vehicles arising from the said cost of petroleum products which led to congestion and overloading of passengers and goods in the vehicles on our roads/reckless driving, with the aim of making many trips.
In face of all these, the FRSC in Gombe has been consistent in its call for commercial vehicles operators, in particular, to be careful, obey all traffic laws, and observe all signs, road furniture to avoid deaths, or permanent injuries by residents in the state: Above all please be a licensed driver before starting the engine of any vehicle”.
In their separate remarks, the commissioners for Internal Security and Home Affairs, and Works, Housing and Transport, Col. Bello Abdullahi (rtd), and Dr. Usman Maijama’a respectively commended the initiative of the Federal Road Safety Corp towards enlightening the public on need to be cautious while using the roads for their own safety especially in view of the increased traffic activities on the roads at the end of the year.
The sector commander, FRSC, Gombe, Felix N. Theman, explained that the FRSC had since inception treated the ember Months as a special period in view of activities like weddings, harvest, family reunion and meetings which cause traffic congestion making the roads unsafe and resulting in accidents.
He said the campaign is to enlighten the public especially the road users on the need to stay safe by abiding the rules and regulations guiding traffic operations.
He further said the corps’ activities have yielded results as the command has recorded a reduction in accidents and deaths in the recent past pointing out that in 2022 the command recorded a total of four hundred and forty five crashes (445) with seven fatalities killing a total of one hundred and ten (110) persons while one thousand and seventy four (1074) were injured but in 2023 up to 31st October, a total of two hundred and seventy eight crashes have been recorded with forty three (43) fatal cases killing seventy nine (79) persons while seven hundred and seventy nine (779) were injured.
He said as part of the strategy for this year’s Ember Months in general under Operation Zero Tolerance in particular, the command will partner with the state Ministry of health, the National Emergency Management Agency and the critical stakeholders to replicate and build on the experience of 2022.
He appreciated the support of the government of Gombe State towards assisting them by providing two Hilux pick up vehicles to succeed in their duties.
On his part, director-general and Sole Administrator, Gombe line Dr. Sani Sabo described Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as a friend of the road safety having constructed roads across the state to ensure roads are safe and motorable for the benefit of the people.
He explained that at assumption of office he has ensured the certification of Gombe line vehicles to ensure their road worthiness and the introduction of interstate service to some local governments as well as intercity service to designated areas within Gombe metropolis to ease transport problems faced by the people.
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