Operation Zero Tolerance: FRSC Deploys Entire Workforce, Over 1,000 Operational Vehicles, Activates 16 Camps, 23 Help Centres for Hitch Free End-of-the-year Travels
By: Olufemi Orunsola
In line with the national road safety ideals advocated by its Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT) targeted at bringing traffic gridlock, eliminating road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities this end of the year, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has rewired the road safety architecture in Nigeria by deploying its entire workforce, including Special Marshals to the highways to ensure hitch free movement as commuters travel from one destination to another across the nation.
According to a statement obtained by OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News from the Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Headquarters, Abuja, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps achieved this through effective and efficient distribution of logistics and operational materials nationwide. This logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks. This is in addition to deployment of radar guns to check speed violations, setting out 16 traffic control camps on different routes, as well as man 53 critical routes nationwide.
OTN News gathered that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who authorised the deployment also directed Commanding Officers to ensure 24 hours observatory along high volume traffic/gridlock prone areas, full mobilization of 23 Help Areas, adequate utilisation of 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points, full mobilization of Road Side (RTC) Clinics, and 24/7 broadcast on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM.
OTN News further reports that the 2024 Operation Zero Tolerance, which commenced on 15 December 2024, will span through to 15 January 2025.
The operation, capturing all major traffic corridors in Nigeria, is programmed to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs - 1400hrs, 1400HRS - 2000hrs, 2000hrs - 2200hrs, day and Night respectively with Rescue teams on standby at all operational Commands, is billed to cover the following critical corridors; Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.
In his explanation of the rationale for the year's early and holistic approach to safer roads, the Corps Marshal (CM) said that the Corps has revealed that a key characteristics of the period over the years is an upsurge in traffic volume, excessive speed, Overloading of vehicles with goods, animals and persons, impatience by motorists who may not have adequately planned their journeys, or motorists managing mechanically deficient vehicles to and fro their travel destinations.
According to him, the above mentioned are known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, loss of properties as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.
The operation, which compliments the ongoing ember months aggressive sensitization, will cover the broad areas of traffic control/decongestion, Public enlightenment, Enforcement, prompt response to crash victims, route lining among others.
The Corps Marshal also emphasised that the enforcement is aimed at checkmating Excessive speed, Overloading, Dangerous Driving/Overtaking, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Road Obstructions, Use of Phone while Driving, Overloading Violation, Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations, Passengers’ Manifest Violations, Mechanically Deficient Vehicles, Latching and Twist-Locks Violations.
Additionally, CM Mohammed also directed massive constitution of Mobile Courts across the country.
The directive also mandates the Commanding Officers to ensure effective collaboration with Military Units, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of State Services (DSS), NGO Ambulance Service Providers, National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
CC Mohammed further stated that the operatives will be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks, and give notification of traffic distressed areas for intervention. As such, he called on the motoring public to download the FRSC Mobile Application for real time reporting and update on traffic situations, utilise all FRSC social media handles (facebook.com//frscnigeria,Instagram.com//frscnigeria, twitter.com//frscnigeria, and in case of emergency, call the 122 toll free number as well as the National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107 which are available means to reach FRSC to report Traffic situations anywhere in the country.
In a related development, the National Head, Celebrity Special Marshal Unit of the FRSC, Julie Chi-Nwaoha has reiterated the commitment of members of the unit to also intensify road safety campaigns, advocacy and training of critical stakeholders in road safety management during the closing part of the year, using their various spheres of influence in the print media, broadcasting as well as entertainment industry.
Chi-Nwaoha added that attaining the lofty ideals of the Operation Zero Tolerance road safety theme remains a collective responsibility of all.
OTN News further recalls that several media campaigns by Nigerian celebrities belonging he the CSM FRSC unit under the leadership of Julie Chi-Nwaoha have been launched in different parts of the country as part of the Ember Months Road Safety Campaigns.
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