Governor Rochas assures FRSC of collaboration
The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okrocha has assured the federal Road safety Corps (FRSC) of the state Government’s readiness to collaborate with the Corps to make attainment of its transformation agenda possible. Speaking after being decorated as the Patron of Special Marshals in Imo State by the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Osita Chidoka at the Government House, Owerri, Governor Rochas who is also the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society stressed the important roles being played by FRSC to keep the nation’s roads safe, and called on all well meaning Nigerians to join hands with the Corps to achieve its well thought out critical goals.
According to the Governor, FRSC has been playing critical roles in ensuring safety of lives and prosperity on the nation’s roads and has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation. “I have always been impressed with the activities of the Corps in making the roads safe, and especially with the impetus the present leadership has added to the job.“Let me commend you for the commitment your men have shown in making the road safe and conducive for business and transportation. You people have been doing quite well, and I assure you that Imo State government will collaborate with your organisation to attain the critical goals you have set for yourself”, he stated.
The Governor further disclosed that he has empowered members of the Corps in the state to take charge of traffic management whenever he is on tour, stressing that this was in line with his principles of demilitarising his movements, which is in line with his desire to enthrone civility in the state.He however appealed to the Corps Marshal to consider the possibility of training residents of crash- prone areas in the country in rescue operations and application of first aid while collaborating with the Red Cross Society to complement the efforts of the Corps whenever road crashes occurred , stressing that this could go a long way in providing succour to victims of road traffic crashes.
The Governor said he was particularly interested in the proposal for the setting up of State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency in the state towards achieving efficiency in the ongoing reforms in licensing system in the country, and promised to look into the draft law with a view to forwarding it the State House of Assembly to pass it.
Earlier in his address, the Corps Marshal enumerated the critical goals of his administration in making FRSC a world class organisation capable of reducing the rate of road crashes in the country to 50% by 2015 and making Nigeria one of the 20 safest nations in the world by 2020. These he said require the supportive role of the Special Marshals, and appealed to the Governor to use his well known humanitarian disposition and political acumen to raise the consciousness of the people in matters of road safety.
The Corps Marshal, had been on tour of FRSC commands in Zone 9, and had earlier visited Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia State Sector commands respectively before rounding off at Imo state. In his addresses in all the commands he visited, he enjoined staff to remain committed to their work, while assuring them of his efforts to improve their welfare status.
