News

Avoid Night Journey, It’s dangerous, FRSC Corps Marshal, Warns fleet operators, others

Published

2 months ago

September 12, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Arising from the dangers, risks and the rising cases of fatalities occasioned by road traffic crashes recorded at night, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed has warned fleet operators, other commercial drivers and patronisers of night trips; including private vehicle owners to desist henceforth from it.

He emphasised that night trips which are often characterised by poor visibility, fatigue, sleeping on wheels, excessive speed among others are not only unsafe, but utterly dangerous.
In a statement signed by Corps Commander Corps Public Education Officer FRSC Headquarters Olusegun Ogungbemide on Thursday in Abuja.

This warning came while reacting to some reports of fatal crashes that were recently recorded at night, which have led to the death of several road users and left others with different degrees of injuries.

The Corps Marshal while speaking extensively on why night trips should be avoided, lamented that on 8 September 2024 alone, an avoidable fatal crash occurred in Lapai, Niger State where 4 vehicles were caught up in an inferno that killed 37 people on the spot. This crash occurred as a result of a combination of factors namely; speed violation and fatigue

Similarly, having maintained that crashes that occur at night are more fatal than the ones that happen in the day time, the Corps Marshal also lamented that while we are yet to recover from the shock of the Lapai crash, another one occurred on Thursday 12 September, 2024, killing 18 people still because of night trips.

The Corps Marshal disclosed that intelligence report reveals that most fleet operators and other vehicle owners, including private vehicle owners who are addicted to night journeys, do so for selfish economic gains, unnecessary overloading of vehicles with animals, passengers and goods to evade arrest by FRSC patrol teams.

He warned that in as much as the Corps does not have the statutory powers to ban night trips, it has become very critical for patronisers of night trips to retrace their steps and plan their journeys in the day time, because often times, when crash occurs away from FRSC rescue points, it is always difficult to access help for motorists at night.

In the same vein, while listing out the dangers associated with night travels, like poor visibility, fatigue, sleeping on wheels, dangerous driving, overloading, speeding among others, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also warned passengers whose journeys could wait till the next day, to resist any temptation that could lead them into patronising fleet operators at night.

The Corps Marshal warned that these deaths are not only avoidable and preventable but totally unacceptable hence the need for all to take caution.

Share on Facebook

News

Oil Sector: Sack Kyari Now, NICOCSO Urges Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

November 8, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (NICOCSO) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove Mele Kyari, as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), probe the cabal sabotaging local refineries, and stop importation of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS).

NICOCSO which had been warning the federal government of the grave consequences of poor management of the downstream sector raised the alarm again in a press conference jointly addressed by its National Spokesperson and National Co-Coordinator, Segun Adebayo and Benjamin James on Friday in Abuja.

The Coalition wants President Tinubu to intervene immediately starting with sack of Mele Kyari, insisting that his leadership has frustrated local refinery initiatives, maintained harmful policies, and upheld a system that harms the nation’s economy. Adding that the advocacy for the NNPCL chief sack will be sustained until the president acts on their demand.

The statement reads: “We are here to raise urgent concerns about the group within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), led by Mele Kyari, whose policies jeopardize our economic stability by prioritizing imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) over local refining. This group’s profit-driven approach burdens our economy, drains our foreign reserves, weakens the Naira, and obstructs local initiatives to support energy self-sufficiency and job creation.

“The High Cost of Fuel Importation and Its Devastating Economic ImpactDespite Nigeria’s potential to refine fuel locally, vested interests within the NNPCL continue to impose PMS importation on Nigeria. This unnecessary import dependency costs Nigeria billions in foreign exchange every year, placing our economy under enormous strain.

Meanwhile, the people bear the brunt of fluctuating global oil prices and currency devaluation, all while this cabal profits from maintaining the status quo.

“We must hold accountable those who prioritize personal gain over national prosperity. They are frustrating the nation’s move toward self-sufficiency, ensuring that Nigeria remains exposed to the volatility of the international oil market. This is unacceptable and unsustainable for a nation as richly endowed with natural resources as ours.

“It is no secret that Nigerian industrialists, such as Aliko Dangote, have invested heavily in local refineries to curb Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.

The Dangote Refinery represents a transformative opportunity for energy independence and economic growth. However, instead of supporting these efforts, the cabal at the NNPCL has actively hindered local refinery operations, prioritizing imported PMS and discouraging local refining. This calculated sabotage deters investors, limits job creation, and keeps Nigeria locked in economic dependency.

“We call upon His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take decisive action to address this troubling issue. We know President Tinubu loves Nigeria and wants the best for Nigeria hence we urge him to caution the NNPCL leadership, led by Mele Kyari, to avoid policies that could lead Nigeria into further economic crises. The President should immediately authorize an investigation into this cabal’s activities within the fuel sector to uncover and expose any malicious manipulation or corruption.

“For Nigeria to realize its ambition of a self-sustaining economy, this group’s exploitative grip on the fuel sector must end. Only through a transparent probe and strict accountability can we remove these obstacles to local refinery success and national economic stability. We implore the President to enact reforms that will bolster the local refining industry and free Nigeria from dependence on imported fuel.

“One critical policy shift we advocate for is mandating that Nigerian crude oil be sold to local refineries in Naira rather than in dollars. This change would significantly reduce our foreign exchange losses, empower local businesses, and protect the Naira. A shift to selling crude oil domestically in Naira would also send a strong message that Nigeria is serious about prioritizing its local industries and economic sovereignty.

“Such a policy will empower local investors, encourage growth in the refinery sector, create jobs, and reduce fuel prices domestically. It will strengthen Nigeria’s economy and make us more resilient to external economic pressures. The time has come for Nigeria to take ownership of its resources and ensure that our natural wealth benefits the Nigerian people rather than a select few.

“We are here today at the National Assembly to demand that our representatives stand with the Nigerian people. We call for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari from his position as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL. His leadership has frustrated local refinery initiatives, maintained harmful policies, and upheld a system that harms the nation’s economy.

“If the government does not act, the NIGERIAN COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (NICOCSO) here today pledge to continue this advocacy, rallying every day across the 36 States to make our voices heard. We will not stand down until this administration addresses our demands for transparency, reform, and accountability within the NNPCL. Our economy and the well-being of the Nigerian people depend on decisive action against those who hinder our path toward energy independence.

“We once again plead with President Tinubu who is a listening leader and a President who has genuinely renewed our hope to sack Mele Kyari Now!!! We urge Nigerians across all sectors to join this call for accountability. We appeal to the press, fellow civil society organizations, and all Nigerians to support this movement to curb the monopolistic control over our resources and fuel market. Together, we can build a Nigeria that empowers local industries, ensures fair fuel pricing, and promotes economic sovereignty for the prosperity of future generations.

“Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads. We can allow a few individuals to exploit our economy for personal gain, or we can chart a new course toward a resilient and prosperous future. We urge President Tinubu to heed the voice of the people, sanction a probe into the cabal within the NNPCL, and take action to secure our economic sovereignty by selling crude oil to local refineries in Naira.

“Mr. President, the time to act is now. We stand here today for a Nigeria that is prosperous, self-reliant, and free from the shackles of dependency on imported fuel. We believe in the strength of this administration to make bold choices that will benefit all Nigerians.”

Share on Facebook