The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bayelsa State on Thursday said that over 3, 000 drivers in the state would benefit from its medical outreach on eye check-up and High Blood Pressure test.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Ikechukwu Igwe, made this known in Yenagoa at the commencement of the Corps’ 2019 Quarterly Health Week.
The Health Week tagged: “Good Sight, Essential for Safe Motoring and Accident Reduction’’, was held at Tombia Junction Park Branch of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Igwe said that drivers to benefit from the outreach included operators of taxis, buses, tricycles, tipper-trucks, among others.
He said the week-long programme, which kicked off on Tuesday with its personnel was meant to check the health status of the drivers in the effort to promote safer roads as the Easter approached.
“We started the programme on Tuesday with our staff; the move was to make 2019 accident-free in Bayelsa State. There is need for the drivers to know their health status as we approach Easter.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Sudan military to run country for 2-yrs transitional period
“This is for all drivers in Tombia, Ekeki, Oxbow Lake Garage and Swali Market Tipper-Truck Park in the state. They include operators of keke, tipper-truck, taxi, bus, among others.
“You know the drivers, they don’t have time to take good care of their health; they are always on the road. When a person has High Blood Pressure, it might affect the individual’s eyes.
“Most of these drivers do not even know their Hepatitis B status and it’s not good to be on the road with bad sight. The programme is our own initiative and I believe before the end of the exercise, over 3, 000 drivers will benefit.
“The programme is free for all drivers,’’ the sector commander said.
Mr. Oyinkuro Ezeboh, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in the state, commended the FRSC on the programme to ensure that drivers were in good health to reduce accidents.
A driver, Mr. Williams Grubia, who was tested on eye and High blood Pressure, said the exercise was a welcome development, saying it would encourage him and his colleagues to take care of their health. (NAN)
