FRSC, RIVPA foster collaboration to make Rivers Roads safe

In a bid to reduce road accidents, Federal Road Safety Corps, Rivers State Command has concluded plans to organise a workshop.

Speaking with members of Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Rivers State, RIVPA, on May 15, Corps Commander Christopher H. Kuje, said FRSC under his watch is focused on reducing road accident cases, because according to him, human, mechanical or environmental factors are responsible for such accidents.

On assuming office in July last year, he said policies and programmes were formulated to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Command. One of such is the annual Accident victim remembrance day, that is celebrated on November 3.

He disclosed that his officers had to contribute part of their Salaries to accident victims in the hospital and urged well meaning Nigerians to be a part of this year’s celebration.

On media collaboration, Kuje tasked media practitioners to work closely with the Command, as such partnerships would boost the productivity of the Command.

He said as a young officer who was in charge of Public Education, he had won an award for being the best officer in the Country, due to the significant role the media play in shaping society.

Kuje, stressed that the functions of FRSC officials go beyond ensuring the free flow of vehicular traffic but also the timely rescue of accident victims from the point of incident to the hospital within the “Golden hour.”

He observed that the duties of the FRSC can be likened to that of the good Samaritan in the Bible.

Reeling out the key functions of FRSC, Kuje disclosed that their job description goes beyond clearing instruction on the road, educating road users on the proper use of the road to include research into causes of road accident with the view to eliminating such causes.

Reacting to RIVPA’s request for her members to become Special Marshalls, the Corps Commander commended them for their interests and noted that the Special Marshall was created to provided the needed support for FRSC, because of the scope of operations of the Command.

He stressed that Special Marshalls are those with impeccable character because they represent the Command at all times.

He further disclosed that three types of Special Marshalls exist which include the celebrity Special Marshalls, the Regular Special Marshalls, the Honorary Special Marshalls and the Road Safety Clubs currently in Primary and Secondary Schools.

He said the Command had to discontinue the Road Safety Club at tertiary institutions due to the infiltration of cult activities.

Earlier in her speech, Chairman of RIVPA, Gloria Boma Harry, said: “We are elated and thankful to you for granting our request in spite of your busy schedule.

The State Executive of Independent Newspaper Publishers Association Of Rivers State (RIVPA), is here to seek for collaboration with your Command.

RIVPA, being an Association made up of newspaper owners in Rivers State, is saddled with the responsibility of providing credible information to all sectors of society, through the tough path of information gathering and dissemination.

Most times, this primary task of ours expose us to danger and many unpleasant experiences.

As critical members of the fourth estate of the realm as we are called, we sometimes do not enjoy the benefits ascribed to the Executive, legislative and Judicial arms of society.

Our members are subjected in most cases to inhuman treatment.

These experiences have led us on this part of seeking for collaboration with key stakeholders especially the law enforcement agencies.

The leadership of RIVPA, coincidentally, led by my humble self, visited one of your predecessor on February 15, 2018, to discuss ways of creating mutually beneficial alliances, including making RIVPA members, Special Marshalls.

The quest for becoming Special Marshalls is to mitigate some of the unpleasant experiences members of RIVPA are subjected to, but unfortunately, my successors did not follow through with the paperwork after my tenure as Chairman.

Incidentally, RIVPA is here once again, on the same day, but different month and year, 6 years after our initial meeting to solicit for the implementation of our request to become Special Marshalls, which was graciously approved by the Sector Commander at that time.

Over the years, RIVPA members have projected the activities and operations of the FRSC with their various publications and we shall continue, armed with the conviction that our partnership would be more effective after this visit.

Finally, we want to commend the efforts of the FRSC under your watch in reducing road accidents and other traffic challenges in the State.

Thank you and God bless.

RIVPA Chairman Gloria Boma Harry receiving a souvenir from Coors Commander Christopher Kuje

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