The Edo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said it would soon embark on a clampdown on truck drivers who are in the habit of loading passengers alongside goods.
According to reports, the Edo State FRSC Sector Commander, Paul Okpe, disclosed this on Thursday during sensitisation of the Aduwawa Truck Drivers chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Benin City.
Okpe, who said the sensitisation exercise was geared towards stopping truck drivers from carrying passengers with goods, however, warned them to desist from the act.
He also added that the purpose was to engage the leadership of the union on how to drive on the highway, imbibe a safety culture, and stop using trucks to carry loads and passengers.
According to him: “We are happy that the drivers are keying into the exercise. They assured us of their support. They have also given us good advice, especially stopping the loading of passengers and goods from the north.
“After the sensitisation, the corp will commence enforcement on erring drivers. But, with the assurance the drivers gave us, we are sure that the menace will be eradicated.
“We are using public enlightenment and enforcement to curb this menace. This campaign launched by the Corp Marshal, Alhaji Dauda Biu, is ongoing across the country.”
He called on the drivers to imbibe road safety culture and refrain from carrying animals, passengers and goods, as it is not a good practice.
On his part, the chairman of NURTW Heavy Truck, Aduwawa branch, Alhaji Badamasi Muhammed, commended the FRSC for the sensitisation and assured them of total support.
Muhammad, who said the union has been worried over the situation, noted: “This issue has been worrying us but we are not government that can stop it. But now that government is interested, it is going to stop. And they should stop it from the north, where they are loading goods and passengers.”
Muhammad, who said about 50 people died last year when a truck conveying cows and human beings had an accident, promised to join the FRSC in the crusade.
He also promised that the union would help educate its members on the danger of conveying goods and people together and on the need to stop the trend.