Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has advised motorists in the state to imbibe the right attitude to road usage by reducing crashes in the “Ember Months.”
Yahaya was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transportation, Malam Usman Kallamu, gave the advice while flagging-off the 2024 Ember Months campaign in Gombe on Thursday.
He said it was necessary for road users to embrace safety ideals, positive road behaviour as well as adhere to all traffic rules and regulations.
He said that safety was not only dependent on good roads infrastructure but also the attitude of motorists while on the roads.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of this year’s campaign is “Speak up Against Dangerous Driving; Crashes kill more Passengers than Drivers”.
Yahaya said, “Gombe State government is committed to road infrastructural development as can be seen.
“However, these roads and all the infrastructure provided can not in themselves avail the safety and security that we needed unless we imbibe the right attitude towards the usage of these roads.
“The eagerness to obey the rules guiding the use of the road and the willingness to share the road with others; these two are the most important ingredients for road safety,” he said.
While cautioning youths against use of substance while using roads, the governor said the increase in use of substance abuse and alcohol had become too worrisome.
According to him, drug and substance use are factors identified to be responsible for unwarranted road crashes, deaths and injuries.
He said the effect of road traffic crashes continued to be a challenge in the society, hence, urged the FRSC to improve on its mode of operations to meet up with the current challenges.
Yahaya appealed to all stakeholders to support FRSC towards addressing crashes and making highways safe.
The governor commended the corps’ efforts in sustaining safety campaigns and ensuring continuous sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement on the dangers associated with wrong use of the roads.
For his part, the sector commander, FRSC Gombe Command, Mr Samson Kaura, emphasised the need for caution in view of the fact that the ‘Ember’ months period was usually characterised by high vehicular movement.
Kaura said safety on roads demanded a collective responsibility from all stakeholders including passengers, hence urging them to always speak up against any driving that could threaten their lives.
According to him, since the consequences of the recklessness of any driver are often suffered more by passengers, there was no reason for them not to be silent.
“Available statistics indicates that passengers are more at the receiving end than drivers in the eventual case of road traffic crashes, this out-rightly calls for deeper reflection and concern.
“The era of being blind and deaf is over thus, passengers must rise to the occasion of firmly resisting any form of recklessness by drivers in any circumstances,” he said.
The sector commander commended the state government’s commitment in providing good roads infrastructure, while appealing to the government to provide two ambulances towards improving safety on Gombe and Dukku road axis.
As part of the activities for the day, motorists and passengers at the Ibrahim Dankwambo Mega Motor Park, Gombe where the event took place, were sensitised by FRSC personnel.
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