Motorists are being urged by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to avoid transporting petrol in jerrycans during their journeys to prevent fire disasters.
During an event commemorating the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) day in Kogi State, Mr. Samuel Oyedeji, the FRSC Sector Commander, emphasized the dangers of transporting fuel in jerrycans while on the road, pointing out recent fatal incidents in the state resulting from road traffic accidents.
Expressing concern about the risks, the sector commander encouraged passengers and drivers to refrain from this practice, particularly considering the current fuel scarcity, to ensure their safe arrival at their destinations.
WARSO’s 16th-anniversary event was aimed at promoting the exchange of information and experiences among member states, raising awareness of the impacts of road traffic accidents, and advocating for the establishment of road safety organizations in West Africa, Oyedeji explained.
Oyedeji outlined the command’s initiatives to enhance the transportation system in Kogi, including engaging with stakeholders and enforcing speed limit devices on commercial vehicles more rigorously.
Identifying speeding, overloading, and reckless driving as leading causes of road traffic accidents in the state, Oyedeji appealed to the public to demonstrate good behavior, collaborate with, and support the FRSC in ensuring road safety.
“By exhibiting good conduct and driving safely on our highways, we can significantly reduce, if not eliminate, road traffic accidents for the protection of lives and property,” he stated.
“To achieve this, we conduct awareness campaigns in various locations, including worship centers and motor parks, to promote road safety. Additionally, with the goal of reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by 5 percent, the command recently conducted a public enlightenment initiative at the Lokoja Mega Terminal (LMT) park,” he added.