With most states banning movements across their boundaries with neighbouring states, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, on Saturday directed the corps’ sector commanders to brace up to the challenges of COVID-19 and enforce restrictions.

He urged them to be more proactive in enforcing restrictions of movement and spacing of passengers by their respective state governments.

Oyeyemi, in a statement by the corps’ Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, directed the sector commanders to ensure strict sustenance of the existing cooperation with their respective state governments in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is being tackled at all levels of government, with more cases being detected in various states.

“As such, it has become imperative for Commanding Officers to brace up, be more proactive than ever before, and provide the needed leadership in their respective Commands through sustenance of collaboration with State Governments.

” Most of the governors have made specific statements on how they intend to combat the spread of the virus in their States.

“To this end, the cardinal responsibility of the Sector Commanders will be to play whatever roles that the State Governments assigned to the Corps with all sense of commitment, service and diligence,” Oyeyemi said.

He charged commanders to effectively communicate all directives emanating from the FRSC Headquarters and the State Governments to every operative of the corps on a regular basis so as to keep personnel abreast with information for enforcement.

“In states where the governments have pronounced a total lock down, the commanding officers must make every possible arrangement to ensure total enforcement of the restriction through increased visibility.

“In addition, commands whose operational jurisdiction are along the major Corridors where total lock down has been declared must station patrol teams to maintain visibility and enhance compliance,” he added.

Oyeyemi, however, stressed on the need for all staff to guard themselves against contacting the virus.

He directed the sector commanders to maintain maximum precautionary measures by ensuring that protective materials are provided for all patrol and rescue team members.

The FRSC boss also directed that under no circumstance must FRSC staff be seen attending to motorists without the proper protection kit. (NAN)