By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Gobir, has expressed dismay over the persistent overloading of goods and passengers by commercial vehicle operators in the state.
Gobir, who is also Chairman of the State Road Safety Advisory Council, spoke during the council’s meeting held at his office.
In a statement by his Director of Press, Garba Muhammad, the deputy governor described the practice as a major cause of road accidents, resulting in loss of lives and property.
He urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other stakeholders to take decisive action to curb the trend, stressing that vehicles designed for goods should not carry passengers alongside cargo.
“No society can prosper when its people fail to adhere to laid-down rules and regulations,” Gobir said, adding that the state government would take necessary measures in the interest of public safety, regardless of criticism from a few individuals.
Members of the council, including the commissioners for Justice, Transport, Finance, and Health, as well as the Director-General of RAAMP, offered suggestions on improving road safety. They called for stringent penalties against motorists who drive against traffic.
The State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Umar Adamu Argungu, pledged to intensify enforcement efforts, particularly against route violations and overloading, which he described as rampant in the state.
