HAJJ 2017: FRSC to train intending pilgrims on high way safety codes

Preparatory to the forthcoming Hajj 2017 and in avoidance of several occurrences of flaunting of road rules in foreign land in the past, the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board is to collaborate with the FCT Command of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in training intending Pilgrims on how to be safe while using roads in Saudi Arabia.

The Acting Director of the Board, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar dropped the hint when he received the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Sunday Oghenekaro who paid him a courtesy visit.

Alhaji Shehu said the collaboration with the FRSC would go a long way in educating the intending pilgrims on how to use busy traffic roads while on spiritual journey abroad and prevent the incidents of being knocked down by moving vehicles especially during the hajj proper.

The Acting Director said that due to their low level of exposure and to avoid a repeat of similar occurrences in the past, intending pilgrims were not conversant with road safety tips on the usage of roads in foreign lands and stressed the need to include road safety in the curriculum for training the intending pilgrims.

He disclosed that the board is mapping out strategy to improve in the education and orientation programme for the intending pilgrims that would ensure successes in the hajj exercise.

In his speech, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Sunday Oghenekaro disclosed that the visit was in line with desire of the FRSC to enlighten government agencies of its activities to ensure safety on the roads.

Mr Oghenekaro explained that the FRSC also enlightened residents of the FCT on the advantages of using pedestrian bridges to avert loss of lives while crossing roads in the FCT.

The Sector Commander said that the FRSC has commence the imposition of usage of the speed limiter on vehicles which were aimed at reducing the rate of loss of lives as a result of accidents due to over speeding on the roads.

He expressed the readiness of the FRSC to collaborate with the board in educating the intending pilgrims on the safety on roads during the hajj exercises.