By Suleiman Dalhatu

Motorists in Nasarawa State and those plying routes within the state have been warned to desist from overloading as a penalty of N10, 000.00 awaits defaulters, state sector commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, Mrs Susan Ajenge has warned.

Mrs Ajenge who handed down this charge in an interview with Nigerian Newsday in her office in Lafia last week said a special patrol team has been put in place to monitor the compliance of the law on overloading. She warned that defaulters would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

She said overloading has been posing serious danger to other road users across the country and advised Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as extra-passengers noting that this has resulted in the high rate of accidents.

The sector commander said the alarming accident rates in Nasarawa state prompted the visit of the corps Marshal /Chief Executive of FRSC, who met with the Emir of Lafia, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and motorists to campaign against over loading, over speeding and dangerous overtaking.

She lamented that vehicle wreakages recorded on Lafia-Makurdi and, Akwanga-Lafia roads have become a serious source for concern, saying that the sector command has since deployed its patrol teams on these routes to check over speeding and overloading. According to her, reports coming from the areas have shown a drop in the rates of accidents.

"As a result of the campaign and punishment for defaulters", she said "the accident rate slightly dropped as 195 cases were recorded in May 2008, while only 36 cases involving four deaths more recorded in June, 2008",. She however stressed that there was still need for motorists to be careful and be patient with the road".

On the support the sector command gets from other security agencies, Mrs. Ajenge said they have had a cordial working relationship with other security agencies so far.

On the challenges she faces, the sector commander decried the usual mob action which motorcyclist in Lafia normally carry out in the event any of them was arrested for road traffic offence, observing that in most cases, her personnel are exposed to hazards.

She then commended Governor Akwe Doma for his effort at making the sector command very effective especially in the area of logistics as according to her, he has refurbished and serviced the command’s towing truck in Akwanga.