Rivers Road Safety Marshals Brainstorm Ahead Yuletide Season

Special and regular marshals of the Federal Road Safety Commission are intensifying preparation of men and materials in readiness for the yuletide season, with the organisation of workshop and training programmes to equip themselves effectively.
Their most recent activity is the just concluded 2019 edition of the sectoral workshop held last Saturday, which was organized by the FRSC, RS 6.1, Rivers State. The event with the theme, the FRSC Special Marshals, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow was held at the Elisworth Events Centre, Elelenwo road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The event which featured award and certificate presentations, as well as speeches by regular, special marshals and road safety clubs had representatives from security agencies such as honorary special marshals, military, para-military, Nigeria Customs, Immigration, NURTW, Nigeria Airforce and other stakeholders.
Present during the annual event were; the national coordinator, Special Marshals; Dr. Sini Titsi Kwabe, the state coordinator RS6:1 who is also the deputy zonal coordinator RS6, and a senior lecturer, Environmental Engineering Department, University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Ugbebor John Nwenearizi, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, COMACE Boboye Oyeyemi, MFR, the HOD, Operations, DCM, Ewhrudjakpor Ojeme, the zonal coordinator, RS 6.0. ACM, Kingsley N. Agomoh, sector commander, (RS.6.1), CC David U Mendie, zonal coordinator RS6.0. Pst. Ray Edet, Mr. Amuna Tony, Dr. Anacletus Francis, the principal staff officer in-charge of operations and intelligence for NDLEA Rivers State Command, Mr. Bennerd Uche, CFN among others.
Giving his address during the first session, the national coordinator, special Marshals said “we are all aware that the non-uniform arm of the corps is as old as the corps itself. History has shown that the special marshals has within its capacity, veritably supported the ideals of the Federal Road Safety Corps to render service to the country and humanity.
“Indeed, this workshop calls for sober reflection on our activities as Special Marshals with a view to chart the way forward in addressing our challenges or gabs beginning from recruitment anomalies to service disposition as it affects our productivity. We must always remember that the inclusion of non-uniform members in the Federal Road Safety Commission (Established) Act, 2007 via section 10(1) introduced a new dimension to road safety enforcement capacity through volunteer service.
“A special marshal is expected to distinguish himself through selfless contribution in service to humanity, impact positively in the lives of people by promoting road safety awareness as well as corporate social responsibility to immediate communities.”
Kwabe stressed that “the challenges of road traffic crashes and its attendant injuries have confronted us all both as government and individuals. Virtually every home in Nigeria is affected by this scourge and the debilitating multiplier effects are inexpressible.
“We have to come to terms with reality that it is no longer the responsibility of government alone to address the menace that comes with traffic safety neglects since everyone is at risk because mobility by road transport mode is almost inevitable in Nigeria, that is why we as special marshals have to step up our game for a better and more effective performance. I strongly believe that with our strength and number of professionals at our disposal, we have every reason to improve the standards of our activities and ultimately succeed.”
Speaking with TNN at the event, the principal staff officer in-charge of operations and intelligence for NDLEA Rivers State Command, Mr. Bennerd Uche, CFN, expressed satisfaction in the commission which he described as very organized.
According to him, “We expect safer roads in Nigeria; they don’t have any excuse, they must give us safer roads. Of course it’s a collective duty, we as NDLEA are always willing to give the support we can because I do know there’s a collaborating point between our duties and theirs; we will definitely work with them, we will join hands with them to do all that we can to make our roads safer. The roads must be safe especially now that we are in the ember period.”
Also speaking, Nwenearizi who delivered a paper titled proper enlightenment, a veritable tool in the making of model special marshals said “the calling affords well meaning people in the society the privilege to contribute their own quota to road crashes reduction. We should see our membership as an opportunity to serve humanity and save lives which are continuously wasted on daily basis on our roads.”
“I charge you all to sustain the flag our founding fathers have kept flying honourably high, our commitment and interest can only be proved through regular participation to the road safety activities, for good legacy, let us jointly raise a team of outstanding volunteers that is worthy of emulation.”