The Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra Sector command, has warned drivers in the state to desist from overloading their vehicles on transit, particularly with goods and human beings.
The state’s Sector Commander, Joyce Alexander, issued this warning during a meeting with the representatives of various drivers unions at Amawbia, Anambra State, on Friday.
Alexander disclosed that the warning became imperative as the command has observed that drivers were in the habit of overloading their vehicles both with passengers and goods in a manner that becomes a burden and obstruction to other road users.
The Sector Commander said she had observed within the three weeks she resumed in Anambra, that overloading is a serious issue that needs to be urgently addressed to avert disaster on the roads.
She said, “Although, overloading is not just peculiar to Anambra State, but I always try to do something about it anywhere I am posted to work. The worst part of overloading in Anambra is that it occurs with both goods and passengers.
“Tipper drivers will carry sand and passenger will sit on top. Other truck drivers do the same thing by carrying bags of garri and other foods stuff with women on top of the load.
“All these things are not good. Please tell your members to stop it. You are registering too much accidents on the road and when accident occurs, those people sitting on top of goods will not survive it because nothing would hold them.
“We know that situation is not smiling in the country at the moment and people are looking for what their daily bread. If you are looking for your daily bread and die, it is not a good one.
“We need you to tell your members to stop causing obstructions on the main road, over speeding, drinking alcohol and drugs. Obtain valid driver’s license, make use of seat belts when driving, desist from using expired tyres and stop carrying fuel in the Jerry can.”
She equally emphasised on the aspect of passengers filling the manifest, saying, “The essence of passengers manifest is in case there is accident and the person dies or becomes unconscious.
“Through the manifest, the next of kin of the victim would be traced. It also helps FRSC officials to ascertain how many vehicles have operated in a day, weeks or months as well as advise the government.
“Drivers are important for us to succeed. Anambra people will make me to succeed. I have come. Before I leave, I must succeed and you people are important for the success. Whatever I do with you people will help me to succeed.
“So, we will not stop at just being a road safety, working and arresting. From time to time, we will form joint taskforce. You will follow us to places where your members are causing obstructions. You will help us to arrest your members. You will work with us. It would not be only FRSC again this time.”
Responding on behalf of the drivers, drivers from Ekwuluobia Mass Transit Bus, Christopher Onyegbuna as well as the Chairman of Heavy Duty/Truck Association, Deacon Ozoemena Okoye, lauded the sector Commander for educating them.
They reminded her that Anambra drivers have been cooperating with both the FRSC and Nigeria police force, pledging to support the sector command in further enlightening their members.
