As the first phase of the 2019 special end of year patrol ends, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has undertaken a critical review of the exercise with a call on the motoring public to sustain their obedience to traffic rules and regulations, saying so far, the road has remained stable. The Corps Marshal also commended the personnel of the Corps across the country for demonstrating absolute commitment, professionalism and innovativeness in managing the massive traffic movement recorded before the Christmas celebration.

In the press release issued by the FRSC  spokesman, Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Marshal expressed satisfaction with the performance of the personnel and conduct of the motoring public in the first phase of the exercise, despite some challenges encountered in parts of the country. According to him, the fact that traffic movements were orderly in most part of the dreaded points across the federation toward the Christmas day and no reported cases of commuters sleeping on the road till the following day were reported was a positive development. He therefore, charges the personnel to remain focused and motorists to show greater commitment to issues of road safety, as the second phase of the exercise commences in earnest following the successful Christmas celebration.

“The FRSC Boss commended motorists for improved attitude to use of the road during the Christmas celebration and urged them to sustain the habit by showing greater concerns for other road users who must be given equal right to use of the roads,” he stated.

Oyeyemi particularly urged those leading convoy vehicles to show greater restraint while passing through congested and built up areas to avoid causing disorderliness that could result to traffic chaos. He specially thanked the stakeholders particularly members of the security agencies for joining hands with the Corps in ensuring orderliness and security in challenging areas across the country. “FRSC  will remain committed to ensuring safer road environment through more effective management of traffic in all parts of the roads as the second phase of the exercise commences till the end of the yuletide season and beyond,” he stated.

It would be recalled that the FRSC special end of year operation codenamed, “Operation Zero Tolerance For Road Crashes,” was normally launched in early September launched to counter the perennial traffic crashes, congestion, injury and deaths that characterise the Yuletide season. It covers the entire ember months and got heightened from 15 December with massive deployments of personnel, logistics and monitors from the national Headquarters of the Corps who not only complement the effort of personnel in the field commands in traffic management, but ensure compliance to operational procedures as laid down in the administrative instructions.

This year’s exercise is expected to last till 15 January when stand down instructions would be issued by the Corps Marshal who is the Grand Commander of the entire operations.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission,Mrs Esther Kwaghe has said that the dream of the Commission was for every Christian to be able to participate in Holy pilgrimage to Israel at least once in a life time. The NCPC Boss who spoke through the Head Media of the Commission, Mr Celestine Toruka during the Jerusalem Pilgrim ceremony for pilgrims who had completed their pilgrimage circle in Israel. She said she was satisfied with the conduct of the first batch of Plateau Pilgrims which made it possible for the Commission to achieve zero abscondment during their pilgrimage exercise in Israel. She was also particularly impressed that the Commission was able to achieve zero morbidity and mortality. The NCPC Executive Secretary assured that the Commission would continue to ensure that the welfare of the Nigerian Pilgrims are guaranteed. She commended the Tabar Tours for living up to the terms and conditions of their engagement with the Commission. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Christian pilgrims welfare board, Rev. Fr. George Gorap applauded the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission for the effective handling of this year’s ongoing pilgrimage in Israel. He commended the Plateau State government for ninvesting in pilgrimage. According to the Clergy, ‘ when we talk of pilgrimage in Nigeria, Plateau state is on the centre stage’, he said. He thanked the management of Tabar Tours for their excellent services. Speaking, the President of Tabar Tours, Mr Joseph Tabar, thanked the Governor of Plateau state, RT. Hon. Simon Lalong for his wonderful contributions to pilgrimage. He also appreciated the role being played by NCPC and the Nigeria Embassy in Israel for a hitch free pilgrimage exercise. Mr Tabar prayed for the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. He further prayed that peace would prevail in Nigeria and Plateau state. In her remarks, the General Manager of Tabar Tours Shadia Scrour thanked the Plateau State Governor for sponsoring the highest number of pilgrims this year. Pilgrims were presented with their Jerusalem Pilgrims certificates at the end of the ceremony.