Stakeholders in the transport sector have pledged stronger collaboration to reduce road crashes as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Borno State Command, flagged off its 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaign Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting in Maiduguri.
The event was held on Thursday at the Musa Usman Secretariat Conference Hall.
It carried the theme “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”
The meeting brought together representatives from the mining sector, the Zonal Director of NTA, government officials, the Red Cross, NATA, NURTW, civil society organizations, FIRS, and transport unions.
Corps Commander Usman A. Muhammad, the Sector Commander of FRSC Borno State Command, said the campaign aims to remind motorists that safety is a shared responsibility.
“It is my pleasure to address this town hall meeting, which marks the flag-off of town hall meetings in Borno State following our sensitization and public enlightenment program two weeks ago,” he said.
He explained that the Ember Months usually record increased travel, leading to more road crashes linked to distractions and human error.
“Distractions that lead to crashes include the use of phones, engaging in conversations while driving, and other unsafe practices,” he said.
“These habits result in crashes, injuries, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.”
He called on motorists to stay alert, obey traffic rules, and set good examples for other drivers.
He said the Corps will deploy more patrol vehicles, inspection machines, and ambulances across Borno State to improve enforcement and emergency response.
He also thanked stakeholders for supporting FRSC in promoting road safety awareness.
During the town hall meeting, the Bama Road Trade Union Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) shared how their members maintain discipline on the road.
“We are happy to be invited to this event,” he said. “Our drivers always drive carefully, not only during the Ember months but throughout the year.”
He said they recorded only two or three accidents in the past year, which were caused by unforeseen circumstances and not reckless driving or overspeeding.
He commended the FRSC Borno State Command for organizing the campaign to raise awareness among drivers in Maiduguri.
“Safety begins with you,” Corps Commander Usman A. Muhammad said. “Travel responsibly and make the road safe for everyone.”
