Motorcycle club to partner FRSC in accident emergencies

The club said bikes can fasten accident rescues in Nigeria.

The Association of Nigerian Motorcycle Clubs has said that it is planning a partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, on emergency response during road accidents.

At a press conference in Lagos, Monday, the group said that they have been having consultations with the Corps leadership on possible areas of co-operation.

Members of the club are private owners of power-bikes.

“We’ve actually had meetings with the Director of Operations (of FRSC) and they have asked for another meeting,” said Inyang Effiong, the association’s president.

Mr. Effiong also said that part of their collaboration with the FRSC would entail administering emergency first aid treatments to accident victims pending the availability of proper medical care.

“Using a bike to get to an accident scene is way faster than driving. These are part of our discussions with the Road Safety,” he added.

This is the motorcycle clubs first ever attempt to sell their activities to the public.

The president of the association said the partnership is part of its plans to “move to the next level.”

In 2012, an average of 11 people lost their lives in road accidents, daily, across Nigeria, according to the FRSC.

“We want to have safety for the riders and all road users. We have the liberty to live in this country the way we want to live,” Mr. Effiong said.

‘Peace ride’

There are 11 member clubs spread across Nigeria, with each club having between 30 and 50 members, according to Bosun Adegboye, Secretary-General of the association.

On March 1, the biking community intends to hold a peace ride in Jos, Plateau State.

“We are organizing the peace ride to tell people that peace has come back to Jos,” said Mr. Effiong.

Mr. Effiong also stated that the bikers’ annual convention, a melting pot for bikers and associates across Nigeria and all over the world, would hold in Ado-Ekiti, in November.

With one fatality recorded last year, the bikers said they encourage their members to affiliate with training schools for rider education.

“We try to have a proactive approach to accident response and it starts with every individual taking responsibility,” said Ogbonnaya Kanu, the Vice President.

“We have several riding schools affiliated to local clubs,” he added.