The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the establishment of KASSAROTA Volunteer Community Marshals as part of efforts to strengthen road safety management and reduce traffic accidents across the state.
This was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Katsina by the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Safety and Road Traffic Authority (KASSAROTA), Abubakar Marwana Kofar Sauri.
According to the statement, the initiative aims to enhance community participation in preventing road traffic crashes and promoting safer road use throughout Katsina State.
It explained that a total of 3,610 volunteers will be recruited from different parts of the state to serve as Volunteer Community Marshals.
The volunteers are expected to provide selfless service by supporting ongoing efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and promote orderliness within the transportation system across the state.
The initiative will also provide an opportunity for public-spirited individuals to contribute meaningfully towards improving and sanitising transport operations in Katsina State.
The establishment of the volunteer unit is expected to significantly reduce road crashes through intensified public enlightenment on traffic rules and regulations.
The Volunteer Community Marshals will also assist in providing emergency response during road accidents, help with traffic control during peak periods and special events, and support general road safety advocacy across the state.
In addition, the volunteers will assist vulnerable road users, including injured persons, children, and school pupils, in order to minimise accidents on major roads.
Statistics indicate that the number of people who lose their lives or sustain injuries as a result of road traffic crashes in Katsina State is comparable to, and in some cases exceeds, the number of casualties recorded from banditry-related attacks.
Many of these crashes have been attributed to reckless behaviours such as driving against traffic (one-way violations), overloading, excessive speeding, improper road crossing, and the misuse of roads by unauthorised light vehicles.
Governor Radda’s approval of the initiative is seen as a major step toward repositioning KASSAROTA to more effectively fulfil its mandate of safeguarding lives and property through proactive road safety measures across the state.
The statement added that the duties of the Volunteer Community Marshals will strictly focus on humanitarian services, emergency assistance during road crashes, traffic management support, and general assistance to road users.
The statement was signed by Abubakar Marwana Kofar Sauri on behalf of the Director-General of KASSAROTA, Major Garba Yahaya Rimi (Rtd).
