The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) have advised motorists to reduce their speed limit from over 120 kilometers to 40 and 60 kilometers to save lives and properties of road users.

The Sector Commander, Rivers, Inyang Umoh, gave the advice on Thursday in an interview in Port Harcourt.

Umoh said that the sector had done a lot on public enlightenment programmes discovering that most road users don’t appreciate and understand what they need to do to safeguard themselves, their properties and that of other motorists.

“We have up our game when it comes to public enlightenment on radio, print media, Television and also on stakeholders relationship.

“The message on safety is everybody’s responsibility, this is why we collaborate with other sister agencies to ensure safety on our roads,”he said.

The Commander noted that in statistics, road traffic crash activities takes more lives than every other economic activities in the country.

He urged the public to appreciate the issue of road safety to reduce the rate of death tolls on the roads.

Umoh said that the action and inaction of road users contributes to the high rate of road accidents nation wide.

The Commander stated that the vision of the Agency was to ensure a safe motor environment to achieve zero death on the roads if there be a crash.

According to Umoh, If there is a crash, we are so concerned that the crash will not result to road traffic death, this is why we preach reduction of speed while driving.

“If the motorists maintain a minimum speed limit of what we call common sense speed limit depending on the environment he finds himself, if there is a break failure or any emergency, it will be able to be controlled, or if there is a crash, the impact will be minimal without loss of lives.

“When you are going to  build up areas like markets or streets your speed limits should not be more than 40 to 6o speed limits,”the Commander said.

He urged the public to be cautious whether a pedestrian, a driver, or a passenger.

Umoh also advised passengers to speak up against dangerous driving because crashes kills more passengers than drivers.

“We encourage passengers to speak up whether in a tricycle or in a vehicle and the driver is driving reckless.

“The theme of the last ember month campaign we had was about passengers, it says “speak up against dangerous driving, crashes kills more passengers than drivers” this statement is a traceable truth.

“In a vehicle that has 18 passengers only one survival may escape which is the driver, if there is a crash,”he explained.

The commander stated that the Agency recorded Limited number of crashes and few fatalities during the yuletide period due to campaigns and sensitisation carried out against reckless driving.

According to him, the road that people apply does not understand language, or recklessness, but if people observe road safety rules they will drive from point A to B without crash.

“My message to the public as we are into the new year, let’s be safety conscious, don’t struggle with anybody on the road, allow any driver that don’t want you to go, if you can lose 10 minutes to save your life, you lose nothing,”he said.(NAN)

Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to confront quackery in the health sector in order to address misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this known in Abuja on Thursday during the presentation of accreditation certificates to deserving medical laboratories.

Salako said that he would work with the security personnel to ensure the objective was achieved and for Nigerians to have confidence in legitimate healthcare providers.

“One of my priorities as a minister of state is to totally confront quackery in the health sector.

“To achieve this, I will need the services of the security personnel to ensure adherence,” he said.

According to him, laboratory bodies like the Medical Laboratory Service Council are essential in achieving this objective.

He charged the council to roll out all their assets and deploy technology to ensure that quackery was eliminated from the profession.

The minister congratulated the eight laboratories for their outstanding achievement and urged other laboratories in the country to emulate them by improving their infrastructure, manpower base, and processes.

“Accurate and reliable laboratory diagnostics, as we know, is the cornerstone of modern medicine.

“They enable early detection of diseases, guide appropriate treatment decisions, and contribute significantly to improving patient outcomes.

“The ISO re-accreditation of National External Quality Assessment Laboratory will undoubtedly enhance the quality and reliability of laboratory results leading to better patient care, reduced treatment errors, and improved public health outcomes,” he said

He said that the ministry would continue to prioritise medical laboratory science to ensure Nigerians have access to qualitative health care services.

In his welcome address, the Registrar of the council, Prof. Tosan Erhabor, said that the re-accreditation of the National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL) by the South African National Accreditation Service (SANAS) to ISO 17043 was a remarkable achievement for the council.

He said it was also a triumph for every Nigerian whose health and well-being depend on the reliability of the medical diagnostics system.

“NEQAL is a cornerstone in the architecture of quality assurance for medical laboratories in Nigeria.

” As a specialised laboratory of MLSCN, its mission is not merely to assess laboratories but to elevate them while ensuring that the results they generate are accurate, reliable and timely, thereby reinforcing the three pillars that define the essence of quality diagnosis,” he said.

He called on the minister to make a decisive government pronouncement mandating the participation of all government and private hospitals, private laboratories, to key into MLSCN Accreditation Service and MLSCN External Quality Assurance Proficiency Test EQA/PT Scheme.

“This policy will ensure that every laboratory in Nigeria will adhere to the rigorous standards.

” Fostering a culture of accountability and consistency in diagnostics services, which will be a game changer guaranteeing every Nigerian irrespective of location receives the same high standard of diagnostics accuracy,” he said.

In his remark, Dr Walter Kazadi, World Health Organisation W(HO) Representative and Head of Mission, said that accredited medical laboratories are vital to the healthcare system.

Kazadi, represented by Mr Jubril Kareem, a staff in the organisation, said that they play a critical role in ensuring reliable and accurate diagnosis, guiding treatment decisions, and providing data for effective disease surveillance.

He said it also signifies compliance with international standards, ensuring the highest quality of laboratory services.

“This accomplishment not only improves the quality of results, but also enhances patient safety and strengthens the overall health system in Nigeria.

“Today’s achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of the laboratory professionals, partners and the government who have worked tirelessly to meet these stringent international standards.

“It reflects your unwavering focus on excellence and your dedication to improving health outcomes for the Nigerian people,” he said.

According to him, the accreditation of these laboratories serves as an inspiration for others to strive for excellence.

” It sets a benchmark for quality and motivates continuous improvement in laboratory services nationwide.

“I encourage all laboratory professionals to remain committed to upholding the standards achieved through these accreditations and to continue contributing to the overall health and well-being of the nation,” Kazadi said.(NAN)

The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, says the continuous stay of Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), in office is lawful.

Fagbemi  in a statement onThursday in Abuja, said

the appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from Oct.

“However, before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.

“This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun October 31, 2027 in order to complete the four year tenure granted to him.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case.

He noted that the advisory is necessary for the guidance of the general public. (NAN)