The Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has commissioned the office complex built, furnished and donated to the state sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) by his administration.

Speaking Friday during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Wamakko expressed satisfaction with the support, which the security agencies in the state, have rendered to his administration in the last eight years, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the deep appreciation of the government and people of Sokoto state to the role of the FRSC “in keeping the road environment safer for all road travellers in the state.”

According to him, the FRSC has distinguished itself as a committed organisation through its various policies and programmes which support the development initiatives of the state government, adding that he would remain committed to rendering necessary support to all federal government agencies operating in the state.

Speaking further, the Governor stated that the decision of the state government to construct a new office accommodation for the FRSC was taken by his administration when he observed that despite the valuable contributions of the FRSC to the socio-economic development of the state, the staff were operating from an accommodation that was inadequate for their effective and efficient operations.

“We all have responsibility to contribute in different ways to eradication of avoidable deaths on the roads. The state government saw the need to provide some logistics support to the FRSC as the lead agency for road safety management and administration in the country in its determination to eradicate road carnage in the country, believing that it would contribute to the efforts to make our roads safer,” he stated.

Governor Wamakko, who frowned at the level of impunity being exhibited by some road transporters in the state, overloading their vehicles with goods and human beings, pointed out that the habit is responsible for unnecessary death and injuries being recorded on the highways.

He, therefore, appealed to motorists to desist from the practice, as he would support all measures that could address the menace.

“There must a new and effective way of finding solutions to the menace of overloading of vehicle with goods and human being as is being witnessed in the state,” he stated.

“People must realise that lives are too precious to be toyed with. Let me therefore, charge all security agencies operating in the state to collaborate and find veritable means of finding solutions to the menace of overloading to avert avoidable death and injuries on the roads,” the governor added.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of the FRSC Board, Mr Felix Chuckwu while thanking Governor Wamakko for the kind gesture of the donation of the office complex, stated that members of the Commission would support all policies that could make the roads safer for all.

He recalled the past contributions made by the state government under Governor Wamakko, stressing that the office accommodation would enhance the capacity of the personnel of the Command to perform their statutory responsibilities more efficiently under the conducive environment provided by the new office accommodation.

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, in his address, stated that by Governor Wamakko's gesture, he has demonstrated the desired political will and partnership spirit which are required to tackle the challenges of road safety in the country head-on.

He, therefore, called on other governors across the states to emulate the good example of the Sokoto state government by committing to road safety campaigns through moral and logistics support to the FRSC.

Corps Marshal Oyeyemi vowed to take necessary measures that could lead to the attainment of safer road environment in the country, pointing out that road safety is a shared responsibility, and every stakeholder must play a part in the efforts to eradicate road traffic crashes.

Both the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada and the FRSC Sector Commander, Sokoto State, Takum Galadima, who spoke at the event, were unanimous in their remarks that the eight years of Governor Wamakko’s administration had been a blessing to the FRSC, as he continued to demonstrate commitment to the safety of human lives through his interest in road safety matters.

According to them, the most visible evidence of such support was the office complex being commissioned, which he ensured its timely completion and furnishing in line with the specifications to enhance the convenience and productivity of the staff.

Highlight of the programme, which attracted eminent personalities, was the official inauguration of the one stair building by the Governor, which was named as “Aliyu Wamakko House”.

It is expected that with the commissioning of the new office complex, all the offices in the command including the clinics, would be hosted under the same building for more conveniences for staff and their improved performances.

•Photo shows Corps Marshal Boboye and Gov. Wamakko arriving for the commissioning ceremony.