The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta State Command, has been urged to remove all obstructions posing threat to lives and property on the highways.
Delta State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) , Comrade Churchill Oyowe, made the call when he led members of his team on a courtesy visit on the State Sector Commander, Udueme Eshiet, in Asaba.
Comrade Oyowe said the visit was aimed at fostering synergy between the union and FRSC, while bringing the concerns of the motoring public to the Command’s notice.
Stating the need for highways to be free from encumbrances, he said there were lots of broken down vehicles, as well as trucks parked along the road that had caused accidents.
Oyowe suggested that the Corps should liaise with the State Ministry of Transport to get a heavy duty toll truck to help facilitate the clearance of obstacles from the highways.
Imploring FRSC in the state to team up with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to rehabilitate failed portions of the roads, Oyowe noted that good roads would reduce accidents.
The NUJ chairman frowned at the activities of some officers whom he noted lacked good relationship with the public, calling on the Corps Commander to help check their excesses.
Oyowe also harped on the need for the Sector Command to have regular interactions with Journalists so as to help disseminate proper information to the public.
He, however, commended the Sector Commandants and his officers for their efforts at ensuring the safety of lives and property on highway, as well as their operations in reducing gridlock on the Benin-Warri road, Benin-Onitsha expressway and Ughelli-Asaba highway.
Responding, the State Sector Commander, Udueme Eshiet, appreciated members of the NUJ for the visit, observing that Journalists were major stakeholders in ensuring the safety of road users.
Corps Commander Eshiet affirmed that the removal of obstructions from highways was part of the mandate of the Corps, adding that the issues raised were being addressed on daily basis.
He disclosed that the Command’s old heavy toll truck lacked the capacity to perform many tolling tasks, saying that they sometimes relied on Anambra State Command’s toll truck to clear the roads of all obstructions that would have caused traffic jams.
Stating that the FRSC was not into road construction, he said the Corps only liaised with authorities in charge of road repairs.
He appreciated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for his palliative measures on some bad portions of federal roads in the state, saying that the ongoing flyover construction project awarded to Julius Berger Nig. Ltd would reduce the traffic jam in the Warri axis of the state.
On erring officers, he said the Corps never condoned misconduct, pointing out that
the intelligence department of the FRSC, charged with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of its officers ensured that those culpable were disciplined.
He said to educate staff of the Corps on the implications of their actions, the State Sector Command regularly organized talks for the officers.
Expressing his dedication to do more in changing the face of FRSC, Eshiet said he was poised to stop all forms of extortion so that the public could be endeared to the Corps.
He noted that two road audits had been carried out between December 2023 and January 2024, assuring that repairs would soon begin on the roads.
Eshiet emphasized the need for partnership with NUJ, while pledging to deliver on the mandate of the FRSC.
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