Service providers in the transport sector in Ebonyi State on Friday pledged to be safety conscious during this year’s ‘ember’ months.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, the service providers said they were wary of the exigencies of the period and would be careful to avoid crashes.

The Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Mr. Anthony Ewa, expressed the readiness of the union to ensure crash-free `ember’ months by ensuring routine checks of their vehicles.

Ewa said the union would also monitor the activities of drivers in the parks, observe speed limit and discourage overloading.

He identified the major causes of road crashes to include speeding, mechanical faults and night journeys, among others.

“The NURTW brings drivers together and trains them as we are ever ready to ensure the safety of commuters and their goods in these ‘ember’ months.

“Drivers are always in a hurry but with our state task force, we monitor the state of vehicles, discourage overloading and sensitise drivers on speed limit at least once in a month.”

He said the union would partner with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state to strengthen the campaign for accident-free `ember’ months.

Ewa lauded the state government on roads rehabilitation and pleaded for the provision of more motor parks in the state.

On his part, the Chairman of the National Commercial Tricycle/Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria in the state, Mr. Augustine Mgbebu, said the association would also monitor its members to ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

Mgbebu said after a meeting with the members of the union that it would issue identification cards to its members.

He said that the union would update its members on the importance of safety when driving, especially during the period.

Also speaking, Mr. Ugochukwu Okorie, the National Treasurer of the union, said the meeting was to orientate the members on the mandate given to it by the Federal Government since its inception. (NAN)

•Photo shows Commuter Bus