From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association of Nigeria has sealed a deal to work closely against the diversion of goods being perpetrated by some drivers. They said that several reports lodged with them indicated that some drivers connived with hoodlums to divert goods, belonging to businessmen for financial gains. That was even as they cautioned businessmen to be careful about transporters they hand over the transportation of their goods.
They reached this agreement at the recently during the 1-day sensitisation programme on security, tracking and driving behaviour of operators of heavy duty and haulage transport organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command for Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association of Nigeria in Awka.
Sector Commander of FRSC in Anambra, Sunday Ajai, said that they wouldn’t take it lightly with another driver caught in the dastardly act or violating any other rule of the command.
Ajai, who buttressed the efforts of the command to ensure that the roads were safe, disclosed that they wouldn’t leave any stone unturned to ensure that sanity is restored to the nation’s highways under his watch.
Also, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Sam Okaula, represented by the State Traffic Officer, Mrs. Clara Nzekwu, however, disclosed that the police were making spirited effort to curb the menace in the state. He advised vehicle owners to ensure they have biodata of their drivers to assist easier tracking of erring drivers.
Chairman of the Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association of Nigeria in Anambra, Chief Jerry Okey Nwosu, said that the group would not fail to ensure that the menace was stopped. He disclosed that they already had the mandate of the federal Government to bring sanity to the system.
“We are happy that the Federal government, having seen all these problems, has empowered our association through all its law enforcement agencies to ensure that this set of transporters are not only regulated but their movement registered and tracked,” he said.
Also speaking, the state Treasurer/Financier of the association, Chief (Mrs.) Suzzy Michael, said that several goods worth miilions of naira had been lost to criminals, who connived with dubious drivers.
“Most of the time, I see how business moguls lose their goods worth several millions to some dubious drivers, who work hand in hand with hoodlums. That has to stop,” she said.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Youth Mobilisation, Tony Uche Ezekwelu, among other dignitaries, attended the function.