The Anambra chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation has charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to immediately begin the certification of road worthiness test on trucks nationwide? in view of the increasing cases of road mishaps.
Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, the state chairman of the organisation, gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday.
Ezekwueme underscored the need for FRSC and other relevant government agencies to take measures to check the rising wave of road accidents involving trucks and articulated vehicles across the country.
He said: “FRSC should commence compulsory verification of worthiness of trucks and articulated vehicles nationwide.
“FRSC and Federal Ministry of Works should provide speed breakers where necessary in all roads nationwide.
“FRSC, Vehicle Inspector Officers, transport companies and unions must ensure that drivers have sound minds before embarking on journeys,” he said.
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Ezekwueme called on the federal and Anambra governments, National Emergency Management Agency and Anambra State Emergency Management Agency to pay adequate compensation to the victims of the accidents.
He also called on Gov. Willie Obiano to expedite action on Ugwuakwu-Ibughubu-Achalla Road to decongest Umuchu-Umunze Road.
He said that the completion of the road would help to reduce the incessant accidents that had claimed at least 50 lives in two years.
Ezekwueme urged community and religious leaders to discourage their youths from trading and holding festivals on the roady.
NAN recalls that on March 13, a multiple accident at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, involving a truck ladened with kerosene and four cars, claimed several lives, leaving scores injured.
Also, six people were killed on the same day at Ibughubu Market, Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra in a crash involving a truck loaded with cement and a lorry. (NAN)