The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has set up 15 traffic control camps, 27 help areas, and 46 ambulance points, along critical routes of Nigeria to complement Operational and Public Education efforts during the yuletide.

The Corps has equally mobilised over 30,000 Operatives from all field commands and the National Headquarters to commence end of the year Special Patrol with zest and vigour.

This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), ACM Bisi Kazeem, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the end of the year patrol theme is tagged ‘Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crashes’.

Kazeem said that the deployment of personnel was owing to the pressing need to proactively save lives and to ensure safe travels at all times.

He noted the route to be covered as Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor.

He noted also that the Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, among others were part of the route.

According to him, operational equipment is also being deployed and they include patrol vehicles, advanced life support ambulances, heavy-duty tow trucks, medium and light-duty tow trucks.

“Patrol motorbikes, extricating machines, reflective jackets, traffic cones, patrollers and radar guns. Others are Breathalyzers, Cameras, E-tablets, Alcoholisers, Walkie Talkies, CUGs and Tyre pressure gauges, ” he said.

Kazeem said that the Corps had invested in advanced Information and Communication Technology to beef up its operations in addition to the deployment of the above operational tools.

This he said was in the quest for improved service delivery and effective Patrol Operations.

“The new technology which includes body cameras and vehicle cameras which have been fully deployed shall be used for Patrol Operations.

“It will also be for surveillance and traffic monitoring, rescue operations, and real-time information gathering for decision making, ” he added.

The CPEO who noted that the operation had already begun revealed that it would end by Jan. 15, 2022.

He highlighted the objectives of the operation as reduction of road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries; ensuring travellers comply with COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021.

“Prompt response to road crash victims; Removal of obstructions; Ensure free flow of traffic; engage in aggressive Public Education; and provision of travel advisories.

“The targeted enforcement which the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has directed all operatives to address are not limited to excessive speeding, dangerous driving and overtaking,

“Also tyre violation, lane indiscipline, road obstructions, use of phone while driving, overloading, seatbelts violation, child safety, passenger manifest violation, mechanically deficient vehicles, and vehicles conveying unlatched containers, ” he said.

Kazeem stated that the Corps Marshal who believed that a crash-free celebration was possible had equally tasked all senior Officers in FRSC Academy and FRSC Training Schools.

This also included those at the National Headquarters who were also deployed to different parts of the country to pick up the slacks to ensure the mandate of the Corps for safe travels is achieved.

Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal as directing the Mobile Courts to sit throughout the Operation across the Nation and that all Commands must remain on alert after Jan. 15, 2022, to have a near crash-free 2022, where possible.

In line with the foregoing, the special patrol is to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams to be on standby at all operational Commands.

“The Corps will go into the exercise in collaboration with Special Marshals, Military Units en-route or resident, The Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security.

“Also state-owned/NGO’s Ambulance service providers, National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNERS) and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), ” he said.

Kazeem urged the officers and men to show special consideration and attention to road users in line with the Corps’ service orientation.

He further called on Nigerians to cooperate with law enforcement agents and ensure maximum compliance with all directives on restrictions and physical distancing.

He also stated that the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM would continue to operate 24/7 to give real-time traffic updates.

He called on all travellers to take advantage of the Station, Situation Office numbers: 07054005754, 07054005712 08056294021/08056295022.

“And the FRSC Toll-Free numbers 122 to report any obstruction, crash or gridlock witnessed on the road for the prompt intervention of the nearest Command, ” he said. (NAN)