Following the announcement by the Chairman Presidential Task Force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha on Monday on the extension of the Phase II of eased lockdown, effect from Tuesday, 30 June, through midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020, and subsequent lift of the ban on interstate movements; the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has stated that the lift is not a warranty for reckless driving and overloading of vehicles.

In a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the Corps Marshal who strongly re-emphasised on the permission of movement of vehicles across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1 July, ordered Commanding Officers to ensure that motorists are made to observe all safe driving ideals, safety regulations and guidelines on physical distancing in the vehicle and use of facemasks.

According to the Corps Marshal, considering the rising case of the pandemic in the country, and the partial lift on interstate travels, it is most imperative for the Corps to redouble its efforts to ensure that drivers do not take advantage of the partial lift on the ban to abuse traffic laws and drive dangerously.

He charged Commanding Officers to ensure adequate deployment of personnel on all routes, and directed inter alia that as the nation extends the second phase of the eased lockdown regime, personnel must show diligence and ensure total enforcement of restriction on inter state travels during the curfew hours.

He added that the upsurge in deaths and spread of the virus across the country has become a major concern that calls for priority operation that the Corps is fully committed to with all diligence.

Kazeem also revealed that the Corps Marshal’s order to Commanding Officers is to ensure the full utilisation of the work force through effective deployment of personnel to arrest without hesitation, any motorist who contravenes the National Orders by overloading their vehicles, violating directives on inter state travels beyond curfew hours and compulsory use of facemasks.

He called on the public to take advantage of FRSC’s numerous public relations platform to report any driver sighted violating the Presidential orders to FRSC Call Centre through the toll free line: 122 or to the studio of the National Traffic Radio through the telephone lines:08052998090 and 09067000015 for immediate action.