Yuletide: FEMD Flags-Off Operation Eagle Eye

By: Nkechi Isa

Following high volume of vehicular movement as the Christmas festivities draw near, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has flagged-off ‘Operation Eagle Eye’.

The campaign carried out in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), is aimed at ensuring that motorists drive to stay safe during the holidays.

Flagging-off the campaign at the Jabi Motor Park, the Ag. Director-General of FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, appealed to commercial motorists to avoid overloading, overspeeding, flouting traffic rules, and reckless driving to reduce fatalities on our roads.

His words: “This December, a lot of people are traveling, so there is a lot of cross-country movement. Please do not drink and drive; we want everybody to stay alive”.

He appealed to passengers to speak up when they observe something wrong.

The FEMD DG urged residents to use the 112 Emergency Toll-Free number in the event of an emergency.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Assistant Corps Commander, FRSC, Zilani Ibrahim, appealed to drivers not to take drugs to enhance their performance behind the steering wheel.

He cautioned against storing petrol in the car; warning that it could combust leading to death.

“Major problems on our roads include overloading, which can cause death due to tire bursts. Another is night driving which should be avoided because when there is an issue, getting help is difficult, apart from the prevailing insecurity,” he said.

The Unit Commander also appealed to commercial motorists to take a rest every 4 hours of drive time and install speed limiters to automatically regulate and reduce the speed of their vehicles.

At the Area 1 Motor Park, the Chairman NURTW, Garki Branch 1A, Ibrahim Jubril, said that the Union has held series of workshops on safe driving with various stakeholders.

“On the issue of over loading, we have not been able to finally conclude on it. You will see a fourteen seater bus carrying eighteen passengers because of the cost of petrol. We believe that the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG will reduce operational costs by 75 percent, leading to a reduction in transport costs by January or February,” he added.

Meanwhile, FEMD has concluded arrangements to take the campaign to other Motor Parks in the FCT.