The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have kick-started an ‘Ember Months’ awareness campaign for all transporters and vehicle owners at the Etim Edem Motor Park, Calabar, Cross Rivers State (CRS) with the theme “Safe Driving, Safe Arrival”.
Addressing stakeholders consisting of vehicle owners, Drivers, Road Transport Workers Officials and passengers during the programme, SON State Coordinator, Mr Michael Ogbuji dwelt mainly on the patronage and use of good quality tyres as one major precautionary measure for safe driving.
He advised vehicle owners and transport workers to patronize the only SON approved tyres and ensure they are within 4 years from the date of manufacture as stipulated in the Nigeria Industrial Standards.
The SON State Coordinator pointed at other critical information on tyres such as its type, load-bearing capacity, air pressure guide and country of origin as important to consider before purchase and use.
Mr. Ogbuji advised transporters and vehicle owners to avoid overloading and excessive pressures on vehicle tyres in order to substantially reduce road crashes/accidents and suggested the use of weighing balances at Motor parks nationwide.
According to him, purchase of SON certified/ registered spare parts, daily vehicle checks of brakes, oil, water, wipers as well the health of the drivers such as clear vision are vital to arriving safely from a journey.
He fingered gross violation of road safety rules and regulations by drivers, as being largely responsible for most road/traffic crashes during the ember months as well as at other periods of the year.
The SON presentation featured practical demonstration, using a tyre with a focus on size relative to height and width, wheel diameter and load bearing as well as approved air pressure, radial construction, speed index/symbol among others.
He, therefore, advised drivers to be cautious while on the steering, stressing that the lives of their passengers and other road users depend on them during travels.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the Deputy Governor of Cross River State , Prof. Ivara Esu, Zonal Commander, FRSC, Mr Kingsley Agomoh, Sector Commander, FRSC (CRS), Mr Nkwonta Chidiere, Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa, Brigadier Gen. Charles Ekulide of 13 Infantry Brigade and Imaikop Ndaekong, CRS Controller of Prison Services.
Others were Barr. Mrs. Rose Archibong, CRS Commissioner of Information & Orientation, Mrs Florence Usang, State Director, NDLEA, Mr. Ogaga George, Asst Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Felix Uche, Comptroller of Immigration among many others.
