40 die in Anambra road mishaps

By Madu Obi

The Anambra State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that 40 persons lost their lives in 112 road crashes in the state in 2023.

The state Sector Commander of the Corps, Adeoye Irelewuyi, who gave the figure in Awka at the end of year award/durbar programme for RS5, said the state recorded a decrease of 22.22% in road crashes in 2023, compared with 2022. According to him, 70 persons died in 2022,

He said: "The Command recorded a total of 144 RTC in 2022 while it recorded only 112 RTC in 2023."

"We equally recorded positive development on all RTC parameters, which include the number injured, number involved, offenders and offences, drivers license production, as well as number plates production."

"All these would have been impossible without the commitment, sacrifice and hard work of officers and men who have determined to brave the odds and work for the safety of humanity on our roads,"

"It would also have been impossible without the collaboration and support of other security agencies, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians who have joined hands with us in one way or the other to try and make our roads safer."

"We have set a target to surpass the 2023 record and reduce RTC on Anambra roads by 60% and we therefore appeal to all stakeholders to continue to support the Command in every area because road safety is everybody's business,".

According to the FRSC boss, the occasion was aimed at appreciating stakeholders that contributed to the success stories, as well as reward outstanding officers and men for their performance and commitment in the course of the year.

The Command also deems it fit to reward 19 officers and men who have been outstanding in their performance and commitment in the course of the year 2023.

"We are also recognizing and appreciating critical stakeholders, agencies and partners who have joined hands with us especially in the year 2023 to ensure a successful operations."

"In the same vein, we want to recognize and reward some staff who have paid the supreme price for their father land in the course of duty," he said.

While reassuring the Command's commitment to delivering better service to the people of the state and Nigerians traversing Anambra State in year 2024, Irelewuyi explained that strategies for enforcement would include mobile court sittings, public enlightenment, stakeholders collaboration and partnership in research.