Anambra ranks 15th on list of states with worst roads in Nigeria- FRSC

 From Chinedu Nwafor Abakaliki

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander, Anambra State, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, said roads in Anambra State occupy 15th position on the list of states with worst roads in Nigeria.

Mr. Irelewuyi stated this at the  Flag-off of the 2022 Ember Months Safety Campaign held in Awka, titled: “Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres  to Arrive Alive”.

Irelewuyi called on the State not to allow the ugly trend to continue, even as he cautioned the residents and road users  to cooperate with FRSC, especially at this Ember months period to reduce the rate of fatalities on our roads.

He said: “The task of road traffic and safety management is a daunting challenge to both the government and the citizens.

“In Nigeria, data from the National Bureau of statistics shows that Anambra roads occupy 15th position on the list of death trap roads in Nigeria. We should not allow the trend continue.

“This campaign is however, apt to cover casualty factors which includes speeding, overloading, use of unsafe tyres, drunk driving, non use of seat belt and  so on.

“The Corps is stepping up public enlightenment in motor parks, Churches, Mosque and the media. The Corps has also trained about 1,500 Neighbourhood Rescue Team across the state to assist in rescue efforts”.

Also speaking, the Zonal  Commanding Officer, Benin Headquarters,  Mr. Chukwuma Njoku, urged drivers to be focused, concentrate while driving, ensure their vehicles were in good condition and obey traffic laws.

“Speeding is a critical offence in FRSC because it poses serious challenge to other  road user. We are setting up 24 hours traffic surveillance on the highways to ensure drivers comply with the maximum speed limit,” Njoku said.

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, said his administration had acknowledged the condition of  the roads, hence, he declared a state of emergency on roads in the state.

Soludo said that about 10,000 kilometres of road project had been flagged off for construction to boost infrastructure development in the state.

 “This administration value the lives of residents and decided to commence massive road project. The tragedies on our roads are avoidable, so we urge roads users to take responsibility for their lives by obeying all the traffic rules.

“The state government will continue to work with the FRSC to educate motorists on how to drive safely and ensure safety on our roads,” he said.