chukwuka Nyeso
As Nigerians prepare to celebrate Christmas and new year, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) also known as RS 6.1 Rivers State Sector Command in conjunction with the Rivers State Special Marshals unit have held the 2025 sectoral workshop with the theme: Enhancing Security and Safety Strategies for Special Marshals operations in the command.
Delivering his keynote address recently at the event in Port Harcourt, the state sector commnader of FRSC (RS6.1) Corps commander Inyang Edet Umoh said that the issue of safety on the roads across the country would not overemphasized pointing out that one of the causes of road crashes in the country is due to over speeding.
“There are many factors that cause road crashes on our roads, however, the main cause of road crashes on the road is over speeding and drunk-driving.”
Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to both commercial drivers and private car owners to avoid over speeding and over loading. This is because forty percent of road crashes are as a result of speed violation CC Umoh opined.
He describe the 2025 sector workshop and its theme as apt and symbolic.
The former sector commander of Osun State stated that there was need for commuters or passengers in a vehicle to speak up when a commercial driver is over speeding.
He charged the motorist to make use of the FRSC mobile apps.
He lauded members of the Special Marshals unit of the state sector command for putting the 2025 sectoral workshop together and also for partnering with the state sector command of FRSC. Earlier, the state coordinator of the Special Marshals RS6.1 Rivers State, Dr. Andy Ngozi Uzor said that the workshop was an annual event aimed at creating awareness as well as educating the motoring public, particularly on road safety, saying that this years workshop is timely and strategic.
The special marshals as the volunteer arm of the FRSC have remained indispensable partners in our collective mission of promoting road safety, educating the motoring public and assisting in enforcement activities. Indeed, today’s workshop is therefore timely and strategic as it seeks to address the growing concerns of security and safety in our operational environments.
Dr. Uzor explained that the challenge they face while discharging their duty was lack of discipline among motorists in the state, noting that the related violence across the county has made the duty of Special Marshal more dedicated. “The realities of insecurity across the country, ranging from banditry to armed robbery, kidnapping and traffic related violence have made the duties of Special Marshals more difficult and delicates”, Dr. Uzor lamented.
The State Special Marshal coordinator pointed out that though the Special Marshal who render selfless services and also save lives also need to prioritize their own safety while discharging their duty.
“While we are focusing on saving lives, we must also prioritize the safety of those who serve. There is need for personal security awareness, risk assessment and tactical collaboration with law enforcement agencies has never been more urgent than now. Enhancing safety strategy for Special Marshals also means enhancing the safety of all road users. In fact, our mission remains clear to ensure safe motoring environment and lives savings. But to achieve this, we must stay safe in other to save ourselves. The success of any security or safety strategy depends on commitment, coordination and continuous learning” Dr. Uzor emphasized. He charged members of the State Special Marshals to use their time and talent to contribute to a safer and better Nigeria.
One of the guest lecturers and Head of Operations of FRSC Julius Emmanuel said that there was need for safety awareness on the roads for both the motorists and other road users, stressing on the need for caution on the road, particularly while traveling during the festive season.
Julius Emmanuel who spoke on the topic: Drive to stay Alive, stated that to be safe on the road was not by chance but by choice, stressing on the need for special marshal and officials of FRSC to ensure that motorists obey traffic rules and regulations as well as road signs.
Also remind car owners that every tire has a recommendation of when it will expires. All motorist should use good tires. Indeed, ensure that motorist comply and obey simple rules and regulations as well as road signs on the road, Emmanuel Asserted. He urged both private car owners and commercial drivers to drive to stay alive, adding that only those who arrive their destinations can celebrate Christmas and new year.
Our correspondence reports that people from all walks of live attended the workshop as various resource and health talk.
