FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed
* Defaulters face risk of losing control of vehicles in emergencies.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged transport operators to avoid overloading and mixed loading, warning that the practices endanger lives, compromise vehicle control and undermine Nigeria’s image.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed said this at the mega park rally on overloading and Mix-Loading with the theme “Overloading and mixloading: A Dangerous Trend to Avoid” on Thursday in Abuja.
Mohammed who was represented by Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Operations, Mr. Godwin Omiko said that the rally was organised to sensitise the public, particularly transporters, on the dangers associated with overloading and the transportation of people, animals and goods together.
He said overloading could increase the risk of losing control of vehicles in emergencies, adding that the financial gains from carrying excess loads could not justify the cost of replacing damaged vehicles.
He also condemned the practice of conveying humans and animals together or mixing passengers with goods, describing it as dangerous and inconsistent with modern transportation standards.
“Nigeria has attained a level of development that demands greater respect for human lives and the adoption of safer transportation practices. The rally was designed to encourage transport operators, fleet owners and other road users to embrace responsible practices and comply with safety standards,” he said.
The FRSC boss acknowledged the support of partner organisations, including the National Association of Road Transport Operators (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other transport workers, in promoting safer road use.
Mohammed urged stakeholders to sustain efforts to discourage overloading and mixed loading, stressing the need for collective responsibility in protecting lives on Nigerian roads.
In his remarks, Chief Charles Phonsus, Chief Executive Officer of African Gem, said the partnership with the FRSC was driven by the need to protect lives and raise public awareness about the dangers of overloading.
Phonsus described life preservation as a shared responsibility, urging Nigerians and transport stakeholders to support campaigns designed to improve road safety.
He appealed to NARTO and other transport operators to embrace the campaign, stressing that the safety messages were intended to protect everyone using Nigerian roads.
“As we approach December, we do not need to have casualties on our roads,” he said, calling for greater commitment to safety during the festive period,” he said.
Phonsus said African Gem, as a health and safety company, was committed to working with the FRSC to promote safer transportation practices.
He stressed that health and safety were interconnected, noting that protecting lives on the roads required collaboration among government agencies, private organisations and transport operators.
The rally formed part of efforts to discourage overloading and mixed loading and encourage transporters to prioritise the safety of passengers, goods and other road users.
NAN
