The new Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, Corp Commander Akinwumi Fasakin, has pledged to work closely with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state to reduce incessant road accidents.
Fasakin made this declaration during a courtesy visit to the NUJ Secretariat in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, on Monday.
The Commander who was accompanied by the Corp’s Public Education Officer, Florence Okpe, stated that upon his assumption, he is determined to hit the ground running by embarking on a public enlightenment programme for road users, hence the need to partner NUJ for a successful engagement.
Fasakin who expressed his displeasure over the narrative of road accidents on Ogun corridor, however warned road users in the state against any act of incivility and promised to collaborate with the NUJ to achieve the Corp’s shared goals.
Fasakin also announced plans to embark on public enlightenment campaigns, manage prompt rescue operations, and implement a safe road policy to ensure safer roads in Ogun state.
He specifically mentioned the need to address indiscriminate parking along the Ogere road and other critical areas of the state.
Fasakin said “What we are after is to change behavior. FRSC believes in the psychology of punishment which is to change behavior and not the philosophy of punishment. We are after changing behavior.
“We will manage public enlightenment with enforcement. Public enlightenment without enforcement is a jamboree. We don’t want our men to attack the public and we don’t want the public to attack our men.
“We are going to embark on a safe road policy so as to have safer roads in Ogun state. We don’t believe in enforcement as FRSC, we believe in inculcating the culture of safety in our people that is why we want to embark on public enlightenment.
Receiving the FRSC boss earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaji alongside executives and other members of the Union declared the union’s readiness to work with the FRSC, while pushing for town hall meetings to sensitize people on safe ways of using the roads.
The Chairman expressed concern that the issue of unlatched containers is alarming in the state, adding that it has claimed many lives, hence, the need to work together with the Corps to address the challenge.
Comrade Olanrewaju said “ We will not write anything against FRSC without proper investigation. We will enter into collaboration and partnership to curb accidents. NUJ is ready to collaborate with frsc to organize town hall meetings to sensitize people on safe ways of using the roads.
“The issue of unlastxhe containers is alarming, it has claimed many lives. We are ready to collaborate with frsc. We want frsc to participate in the 2024 NUJ press week,”he added.
