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Coronavirus guidelines: FRSC nabs 1,460 drivers in 3 months for defaulting overloading order

Ogungbemide addressing drivers and park officials at a park in Lagos on the need to adhare to safety rules as directed by the federal government

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), said it impounded 1,460 vehicles for going against the overloading orders of the government on coronavirus within three months.

The Sector Commander, of the state, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed this on Monday said the offence was committed between April and June 2020

The Commander said the tour of motor parks in the state aimed at monitoring and sensitising transport operators for strict compliance to COVID-19 public transport guidelines had started in earnest.

Ogungbemide said, “We have been able to clamp down on 576 drivers in Lagos for overloading of vehicles with passengers and goods.

“We also arrested 827 drivers for overloading their vehicles with passengers against COVID-19 protocols.

“In all, we have arrested a total of 1,460 between April and June for overloading.

Overloaded Lagos bus

“Road users should know that FRSC will not condone anything that will enhance the spread of COVID-19 pandemic through land transport that happens to be under the purview of the corps,” he stated

He insisted that the command would not allow itself to compromise enforcement of the rules under whatever guise.

He further called on commuters to support the corps and the nation in the efforts to flatten the curve of this novel global disease.

He also said, “So, in order for the commuters not to get themselves involved in unnecessary inconvenience through enforcement by our men, they should desist from boarding an overloaded vehicle.

Motorcyclists not also left out

“We are also pleading with transport stakeholders, especially transport unions, to try and comply with the COVID-19 protocols by reducing the passengers they carry to 50 per cent capacity of their vehicles.

“Transport unions and other stakeholders must make sure that drivers, conductors and passengers use face masks.

“There should also be water and soup at their terminals and motor parks with sanitisers.”

The Command’s tour of motor parks in the state which started on Friday would be sustained till such a time all the motor parks have imbibed the COVID19 hygiene stipulated rules as culture according to Ogungbemide