The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau says it is training its personnel on safety measures to protect themselves against the dreaded Coronavirus while on duty.
The Acting Sector Commander, Deputy Corps Commander Ibrahim Sadiq, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos that the command was also sanitizing its environment.
“We are educating our staff on the use of sanitizers, soap, and water to cleanse their hands so as to protect themselves against the disease.
“We are also making sure that we equip our patrol cars with water, soap, and sanitizers for the personnel to protect themselves first before going to the road to deal with members of the public,” Sadiq said.
He said that it was for such reason that the command had not started enforcing the ban on overloading of vehicles to prevent the spread of the disease.
He said that on completion of the training, the personnel would commence enforcing the ban on overloading.
“Our men will go out to make sure that any vehicle that is overloaded is impounded and the excess load removed from such vehicle.
“The reason is to ensure that it does not aggravate the situation we have on the ground.
“We are still in discussion with stakeholders and very soon we will send our men out,” the acting sector commander said.
He also said that the command had in the interim, been meeting with stakeholders to sensitize them on the dangers of diseases as they related to road usage.
He said that the command had counseled the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to take the Coronavirus pandemic seriously.
Sadiq advised commuters to take their safety seriously and ensure that they protected themselves.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic was of serious concern and urged commuters not to enter overloaded vehicles.
“It is better for you to be safe and late than for you to go and contact this very deadly virus, and once you contact it, it is not only you but all your family members will be affected at the end of the day.
“Get hand sanitizer and make sure that the environment you are in, even if there is no water there, get pure water and wash your hands with soap.
“Always carry soap, sanitizers, and water in your bag whenever you want to enter a vehicle.
“Travel only when it is necessary. If not, stay back in your house,” he said.