The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has deployed 1,200 officers to Kogi State to ensure a free-flow of traffic before, during and after this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of FRSC, Idris Fika, disclosed this during an interview with DAILY POST on Wednesday.
Fika, while expressing the readiness of the command to ensure a hitch-free celebration, noted that these officers had been deployed to strategic areas across the 21 Local Government of Kogi State.
According to him, drivers plying the routes of Kogi State should avoid overloading and ensure that passengers are compelled to wear facemask in line with the COVID-19 protocols.
He said the command will not hesitate to try any motorist who violates traffic rules.
Fika added that the state, which is housing eight-unit command and two outposts will put all measures in place to avoid unnecessary crashes on the road.
“Kogi is a transit state to many other states in the country. Putting this in mind, we have put everything in place to ensure that vehicles move freely on the road without any hitches.
“Against this background, it is important for all motorists passing through this state to maintain speed limit while traveling. It is someone that is alive that celebrates Eid-el-Kabir.
“Drivers must drive carefully, and they must reduce their speed especially in this raining season. Driving under the rain is very dangerous especially at high speed.
“We are currently in the midst of this deadly pandemic called coronavirus. It is real. So, all passengers, including drivers must observe strictly all the Covid-19 protocol by wearing a facemask and maintain social distancing.
“The use of faceMASK is mandatory. For example, in 10-seater vehicles, drivers are expected to carry not more than five passengers instead of the usual 10. Any driver found wanting on this will not be spared.”
When asked if the command will institute a mobile court when motorists flout the warning, the Sector Commander averred that, ” If the need arises, mobile court will be there. We are also going around, informing people to observe COVID-19 protocols. We are also enforcing by booking and fining motorist that refuse to adhere to this directive. We are very serious about it on the observance of COVID-19 rules. Covid-19 is real and we advise the entire Nigerians not to derail from the federal government directive as collectively we can kick coronavirus out of Nigeria”.
DAILY POST reports that Eid-el-Kabir is celebrated worldwide by Muslims to honor the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God’s command.
