ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT STARTS WORK AT FRSC NUMBER PLATE PLANT AND NEW OFFICE

In fulfillment of its resolve to partner with management of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the drive to decentralize production and distribution of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, the Anambra State Government has commenced construction of a number plate Plant and a new office for the Corps in the State capital, Awka.

Construction works on the 1.65 acres of land which was donated by the state government alongside the sum of N18 million, has reached the errection of blocks from the foundation level and is projected to be completed before the end of the year (2009).

Expressing the Corps’ gratitude to the state government during a courtesy visit at Awka, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka stated that on completion, the Plant at Awka will facilitate arrangements towards reducing pressure on the FRSC Lagos Plant to effectively respond to the increasing needs of vehicle owners across the country.

The Corps Marshal further solicited the support of the state government to acquire heavy duty tow trucks in order to address traffic peculiarities along the Ihiala-Onitsha road and to improve on the construction of road signs and markings to guide road users and also stem the tide of road crashes in the which presently stands at 134 deaths and 431 injured persons since January this year.

Responding after his investiture as patron of Special Marshals in Anambra State, Governor Peter Obi stated that road safety matters should be of paramount importance for the socio-political and economic advancement of any society and added that road safety will be enshrined into the consolidated programme initiated by his administration towards rapid development of the state tagged Anambra Integrated Development Scheme (ANIDS).

Speaking further, Governor Obi pledged that the state government will strive to establish a driving school that will ensure training of motorists on proper use of the roads, in addition to the purchase of copies of the highway code for distribution among state house drivers as part of measures to acquaint them with road traffic rules and regulations.

The FRSC Corps Marshal also used the forum to inaugurate a Special Marshals’ Unit at the state house with the absorption of Commissioners and Special Advisers in the volunteer group to further boost road safety activities in Anambra State.