Niger Delta
FRSC Wants Tanker Drivers Use Retro Reflective Tapes
The Delta Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised tanker drivers to use retro-reflective tapes on their vehicles to avoid head-on collision.
The FRSC Acting Sector Commander, Mrs Patricia Emeordi, gave the advice last Thursday in Warri during a Truck Safety Campaign sensitisation on retro reflective tapes, organised by the Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative and sponsored by Chevron Nigeria Ltd.
Emeordi said the importance of the retro-reflective tapes on all categories of vehicles, especially trucks, could not be over-emphasised in spite of other caution signs.
According to her, the tapes do not only make the vehicles visible at night, they also show their sizes when the tapes are properly placed.
The acting sector commander advised drivers to place the tapes on both sides of their vehicles to illuminate them when turning.
Quoting the National Road Traffic Regulation 2004, Section 56 (P) as requiring all commercial vehicles other than taxis to have two reflective stickers fitted to the extreme, she said the stickers should be four inches wide and 12 inches long to indicate the maximum width of the vehicles.
Emeordi, therefore, appealed to drivers, especially those driving trucks, to use the retro-reflective tapes.
Mr Femi Odumabo, the General Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, said the safety campaign was consistent with the company’s tradition of care and commitment to the safety of lives on Nigerian roads.
Represented by Mr Philip Bassey, the Senior Committee Engagement Representative, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Odumabo
said the company and its partners, the Agbami Field, placed high premium on safety in line with the commitment to protect people and the environment.
He said the company was happy to partner with the FRSC to check accidents on Nigerian roads, adding that the campaign would focus on safe driving and enlightenment.
“Our intention is to make our roads safer, reinforce the value of safe driving and compliance with traffic regulations.”
In his opening remark, Mr Ikeh Okonkwo, the Chief Executive officer, Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative, said that Nigeria contributed one-fifth of the 3,500 daily road accident in the world, while trucks contributed 50 per cent of the figure.
Okonkwo said that most Nigerian roads were in a deplorable state, noting that “trucks parked on the roadsides must have the caution sign to warn on-coming vehicles.”
He advised that the retro-reflective tapes be used to achieve safety on the roads, saying that with contributions from all stakeholders, zero accident was attainable.
In his response, Chief Magnus Onyeka, the Public Relations Officer of Petroleum Tankers Union in Delta, appealed to government to ensure that roads across the country were put in good shape, “as 60 per cent of road crashes are caused by bad roads”.
He said that the union had banned the movement of trucks between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as the sale of alcohol in the union’s canteens across the nation.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.