The Federal Road Safety Corps, in its efforts to reduce accidents and loss of lives and properties during the Yuletide across Bauchi state, has set up a joint task force to relocate all markets held on highways to safer places.
The PUNCH had reported that in September, the Member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives, Manu Soro, during Governor Bala Mohammed’s inspection of a new cattle market being constructed by the North-East Development Commission in Soro town, lamented that no fewer than 10 people have been killed by cows that have strayed at the Soro Cattle market which is usually held by the highway.
The Commander, FRSC Bauchi state sector command, Yusuf Abdullahi, who stated this in an interview with journalists during a “simulation exercise” in preparation for the commencement of “Operation Zero” which commences on Friday, said the Corps has partnered with all sister security agencies in the state to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
“In Bauchi state, some of our markets are located along the highways and because of that, a joint task force is in the process to ensure that those markets are taken off from the roads.
“In addition to that, we are already in collaboration with the stakeholders in those markets to ensure that the market men and women are aware of what we are doing, so that they will stop displaying goods on the road.
He continueed, “Other agencies like the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Nigeria Police and all sister agencies, will give up a backup in terms of security. FERMA which takes care of some of the areas where we have problems is also in good synergy with us and they are already taking care of all those potholes.
“Additionally, in every local government area, we have five officers who take care of all activities in those LGAs and we hope that within this period, we’re not going to have a problem,” he stated.
Abdullahi explained that the simulation exercise was done to show the public the FRSC’s level of preparedness for the annual “Operation Zero” campaign.
He said that the FRSC has partnered with all sister security agencies in the state, to carry out special operations including road traffic control, attending to rescue operations, clearing of obstructions, ensuring public enlightenment, among others during the “Operation Zero” campaign from 17th December 2021 to 15th January 2022.
Also speaking, the FRSC Zonal Commander, Zone 12, Assistant Corp Marshal Rotimi Adeleye, expressed deep concern over the frequent crashes caused by over-speeding in Bauchi state.
Copyright PUNCH.
