FRSC Special Marshals

By Jethro Ibileke/Benin

As the ember months gradually roll into the festive period, Edo State Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr. Friday Ekhator, has admonished all road users, especially commercial drivers, to comply with highway regulations.

This is even as he commends members of the voluntary arm of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in the state for their dedication and commitment to duty which he said has helped to reduse road crashes.

Ekhator who spoke with journalists in Benin, noted that with increased vehicular activities on the roads during festive periods, drivers tend to be in a hurry, which he said has always been the cause of most road crashes.

According to him, “The problem we still face is that many road users still do not obey regular and Special Marshals when we try to stop and caution them. They feel stopping for us will always result in punitive measures to them.

“But it is not all stoppages that mean they are going to be booked. Most times we stop them, we educate them on the proper use of roads and the need to put their vehicles in order.

“They should learn to stop and listen to whatever the road managers have to tell them. We want them to safe their lives. It is for them and it will help them.”

Ekhator disclosed that the organisation recently held a retreat for Special Marshals in the State, with a view to helping them meet with the challenges on the roads in the ember months.

“The essence of the retreat is for us to meet and brainstorm on the way forward on the ember months challenges. We educated all Special Marshals on how to comport themselves on the roads and how to address the situations on Nigerian roads,” he said.

Commenting on activities of Special Marshals in the State, the State Coordinator said their presence has resulted in reduction in road crashes close to zero percent, adding that weekly road auditing and analysis indicate that road crashes and obstructions have continued to reduce.

“Activities of my men have been encouraging. In spite of their tight schedule at their various works, they are still able to meet up with national patrol days and make themselves available for other state and national assignments.

“Regular and Special Marshals have really tried to ensure that the roads are free and are zero tolerant for crashes on the roads,” he said.