Yemisi Izuora
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned that it would shut down motor parks that continually flout extant guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 in Port Harcourt and its environs.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Rivers State, Salisu Galadunci, handed down the warning in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
Galadunci said the Corps has observed with dismay that many passengers have refused wearing facemask before leaving their homes to travel, saying it would work with relevant agencies to ensure such attitude was stopped. He urged the motor park operators to take the warning seriously.
The move, according to the State FRSC Sector Commander, was to prevent the spread of the disease in the state, especially in view of the second wave of the pandemic; noting that the corps has the backing of the federal government to enforce sanctions.
“We will call the police, we will call everybody and we will shut it down until they are ready to comply with the rules.
“We have repeatedly advised the need for park operators and passengers to comply with the COVID-19 rules because of what we have observed in the State. If any motor park fails to or refuses to comply with the COVID-19 rules, we have been giving the go-ahead to shut it down,” Galadunci stated.
“Nobody should deceive himself that we have hot weather or whatever it is, no. Wash your hands frequently, wear a facemask and other simple guidelines to protect yourself and others.
“We will not allow people to suffer and to die as a result of that. The issue of whether you believe it or not does not even arise here. This is something that is scientifically proven and we are seeing what is happening in Europe and other parts of the world,” Galadunci emphasized.