Isiyaku Ahmed
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has flagged-off a nation-wide sensitization and response campaign tagged “Operation Eagle Eye” that is usually conducted in collaboration with the lead Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other critical stakeholders on road safety for the end of the year festivities and yuletide season.
In Kano, the campaign reached out to over 10,000 at three major motor parks (Na’ibawa, Karota Temporary and Ungwa-Uku) in the metropolis, Thursday.
NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Kano and Jigawa, Ado Sunusi represented the Director General, NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) to flagged-off the campaign.
Addressing NURTW, drivers, passengers and other road users, he said: “The activity is aimed at rallying all stakeholders to support the primary roles of the Federal Road Safety Corps to minimize road crashes and loss of lives during the season and beyond.”
“The objective of our being here today is to raise your awareness on traffic rules and regulations to prevent loss of lives and properties in transit during and after the festive and to draw your attention to the second wave of covid-19 pandemic which is more severe than what it was early this year,” he added.
Drive with care, avoid overload, do not make or receive calls while driving, ensure proper maintenance of your vehicles and do not overtake at sharp bends; more importantly, observe the covid-19 protocols, wear face masks at all times and use hand sanitizers after touching any object, he advised.
He added that NEMA has positioned its men and equipment for response to road traffic accidents before, during and after the yuletide.
Sunusi urged road users, managers and maintenance agencies as well as other members of the public to make good use of available response platforms which include the 112 National Emergency Call Number, Emergency Response and Ambulance Bays (ERABs) for effective and efficient response to emergencies.
The Kano Sector Commander, FRSC, Zubairu Mato re-emphasized the dangers of vehicle overload. “Overload by way of passengers or luggage cause a lot of discomfort to the car and driver, consequently, leading to fatal accidents,” he cautioned.
He called on passengers to always caution drivers when they are over speeding and to always observe covid-19 protocols when travelling.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Red Cross, Alh Musa D. Abdullahi encouraged drivers, passengers and road users to at all times observe the covid-19 protocols.
He presented hand sanitizers and face masks to the representative of NURTW to distribute to members and passengers on behalf of the Nigeria Red Cross.
The “Operation Eagle Eye” campaign train had National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Kano State Road Traffic Authority (KAROTA), Red Cross, Fire Service, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Emergency Volunteers and the Media.
