Etim Effiong
Federal Road Safety Corps in Akwa Ibom State has arrested and prosecuted no fewer than 122 motorists who flouted the COVID-19 protocols in the state.
Sector Commander for the state, CC Ochi Oga, said during an interview with journalists on weekend that out of 122 persons, 92, who were tricycle
and minibus drivers, were prosecuted for overloading of passengers
against the recommended number of persons in a vehicle by Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control.
He added that 30 persons were involved in other traffic offences.
Oga expressed worry about the level of traffic disobedience in the
state, especially by tricycle and minibus drivers, noting that the
command would address the issue through enlightenment and dialogue
with the operators.
He said, “In a mobile court exercise held on Friday and the other day, we
arrested, tried and convicted 90 and 32 road traffic offenders,
respectively.
“Out of the number, 92 persons were involved in overloading of
passengers against the prescribed number of persons to be carried in a
keke or minibus by the NCDC guidelines.
“The challenge we have is the rate of traffic disobedience, especially
by the keke drivers. From the way they behave, it is as if they failed
to understand that there are other road users. We are addressing that
through public enlightenment.”
According to him, the time for patrol operations would be extended in
the state so that they could be more visible on highways.
Concerning the easing of interstate travel and reopening of motor
parks, Oga stated that officers have gone to all the motor parks in
the state to educate the operators on the need to observe NCDC
protocols.
He said the officers had ensured that all the NCDC COVID-19
precautionary measures were put in place in every motor park before
giving approval for operations therein.
He said, “For us to open the motor parks for use, we ensured that all
the protocols are put in place, for the safety of travellers even for
those who are working in the motor parks. We tasked them on the need
to avoid overloading of passengers.
“Of course, a bus which used to carry 14 passengers will only carry
Seven now. As a matter of fact, our men are on the road to enforce
that.”