Kaduna bars FRSC from mounting city road blocks

The Kaduna State Security Council personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from erecting checkpoints in Kaduna metropolis and other urban centres in the state.
The Council also prohibited FRSC personnel from indiscriminately stopping vehicles for inspection in Kaduna town so as to prevent avoidable traffic congestion and accidents but to concentrate their energies in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, explained that the council’s decisions followed complaints by residents that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the Vehicles Inspection Officers, VIO, who were disbanded by the state government last year for extortion and exploitation of the public.
Similarly, the Council has directed that transporters should stop loading firewood, tomatoes and other goods on top of petrol tankers throughout the state. The Council drew the attention of the public to hazards such practices pose to lives and property.

The Security Council added that the actions became necessary after reviewing the trend, and noting concerns expressed by citizens over the undue hardship and accidents people have been exposed to at FRSC checkpoints and from reckless tanker drivers.

The statement said, “The Security Council, therefore, mandated security agencies to ensure compliance with the directives, and relevant agencies were also directed to impound defaulting tankers.”

The State Security Council meeting was chaired by Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. Also in attendance were: the Deputy Governor, Arc. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, Commander 1 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Ismaila Isa, Commander 453 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, representative of the Commandant, Nigerian Navy School of Armament, Capt SM Ochidi, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Agyole Abeh, Director DSS, Tijjani Mohammed Wakil and heads of other security agencies.

It will be recalled that in 2016, the Federal Government acceded to requests from the Kaduna State Government and re-designated the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (the Western By-pass) and Ahmadu Bello Road as state roads.