Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed 25,224 operatives as well as 15,225 Special Marshals to manage traffic along the various road corridors to curb the gridlock usually experienced by travellers during the Yuletide.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the men would ensure a smooth trip for travellers as part of the nationwide end of the year special patrol.

Oyeyemi also explained that corridor commanders had been deployed in the field commands to ensure compliance with the operational guidelines.

This he added was to minimise road crashes and to achieve zero fatality during the festive period.

According to him, besides the personnel, 580 patrol vehicles, 92 ambulances, 17 tow trucks and 73 motorbikes would be involved in the patrol.

Oyeyemi further said that a total of 22 help areas and 10 traffic control camps had been earmarked to provide prompt attention to accident victims and ensure prompt removal of obstructions.

“Further to the measures being put in place for the best outcome in the operations, the Corps relied on the pre-patrol assessments. (We have) identified some gridlock-prone areas and alternative routes that travellers could use whenever the situation arises.

“Accordingly, 48 areas have been identified across the country and would be adequately manned by dedicated personnel who work in commands that are within the designated areas to ensure proximity and benefits of familiarity with the terrain,” he said.

The Corps Marshal identified the alternative routes as including Lokoja-Kabba-Ayere-Akunu-Ise junction-Ikare—Ado-Ekiti-Ijesha; Lokoja-Kabba-Ayere; Lokoja-Okene-Ogori-Magogo-Owo; 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Ufuma-Umunze and others.

On efforts to curb tanker explosions on the roads, he said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was meeting with the truck owners and other stakeholders to install safety valves that would prevent explosion during crashes.

According to him, an audit of all tankers would be carried out next year to determine their roadworthiness and conformity to the prescribed capacity.

“I hereby admonish motorists and commuters to obey all COVID-19 health protocols by wearing their face masks and keeping social distance to help curb the deadly coronavirus In the county, ” he said.

The 2020 Operation Zero tolerance commenced from Dec. 12 and will end Jan. 15, 2021 nationwide.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Badagry Unit Command, says it has deployed 120 personnel with four operational vehicles to monitor and control traffic on the expressway during the Yuletide.

Badagry FRSC Unit Commander, Sulaiman Taiwo, said the 120 personnel, made up of Regular and Special Marshals, would patrol traffic prone areas such as Badagry Roundabout, Gbaji and Aradagun.

“The Corps Marshall, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has issued operational orders to prevent crash-free Yuletide and the order has been handed down to zonal, sector and unit commands.
“We have mobilised our Special Marshall and personnel about this, the command will be visible on the highway throughout the Yuletide.
“We have also mapped out strategies to ensure there are free flow of traffic at some areas like Aradagun, Gbaji and Badagry Roundabout.
“At the same time, we have sent personnel out to parks, garages to sensitise the public in order to drive safe during the Yuletide.
“I will be in mosques on Friday and churches on Sunday to sensitise our people to drive safe and also stay safe,” he said.
He commended the chairman of the three local governments and Local Councils for cooperating with the corp to ensure crash free Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Taiwo advised drivers against speeding, urging them to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and property.
The unit commander appealed to the motoring public to observe COVID-19 protocols and guidelines in order to reduce the spread of the virus and flatten the curve of the pandemic.