The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)

  • Over 60,000 driver’s licences yet to be collected in Lagos – FRSC

    The Lagos State Sector Command of e Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says over 60,000 driver’s licence are yet to be collected by applicants.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Hyginus Omeje, made the disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    According to Omeje, this implies that over 60,000 drivers are driving without a driver’s licence in the state.

    “Driver’s licence is the only document that qualifies you to be on the road, every other valid document is for your vehicles.

    ” Many drivers claim that the reason for not having the driver’s licence is that they were yet to get text messages to come and collect.

    “Don’t wait until you receive text messages; l use this opportunity to appeal that applicants of driver’s licence should go to where they did their capturing and collect.

    ” We have over 60,000 driver’s licence waiting to be collected all over Lagos State,” the commander said.

    READ ALSO: Man, 26, remanded in prison over N650,000 FRSC job scam

    Omeje noted that 60 days was the duration given at the point of capture for the document to be ready but added that within the period, the licence could be period.

    “In most cases, we are meeting up with 30 days now after capturing.

    “The problem now is collection, people feel free to drive with temporary licence while they continue to give excuse that they have not received text messages for the original licence.

    “Let applicants feel free to go and collect their driver’s licence at the various centers at no cost. Let them only go with their temporary one and they will be given a valid one.

    “Good thing now, we have driver’s licence valid for three and five years,” he said.

    Omeje cautioned driver’s licence applicants to desist from patronising touts but to go to designated centres to avoid getting fake licence.

  • Motorists driving against traffic to undergo psychiatric test – FRSC

    The Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)  on Wednesday said motorists driving  against traffic would be subjected to psychiatric test.

    Mr Clement Oladele, the Sector Commander of  the FRSC in Ogun, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota.

    According to him, any driver caught driving against traffic during the forthcoming Easter would also be prosecuted for dangerous driving.

    The sector commander further said that such erring drivers were liable to pay N50,000 as fine or risk imprisonment.

    “FRSC is hereby warning motorists against  such nefarious acts  in order  to check loss of lives and property, ” he said.

    Read Also: Easter: FRSC advises motorists

    Oladele also said the FRSC had embarked on a special patrol for the Easter to reduce the discomfort of motorists travelling during the festival.

    He said that the command had  reached an agreement with the construction company, Julius Berger Plc, to open the barricaded section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway  in order to ease vehicular movement.

    Oladele further said that FRSC personnel would keep vigil  at strategic locations to check the excesses of motorists during the Easter.

    He implored motorists to maintain  their vehicles and plan well ahead of their trips while refraining from night journeys.

    NAN

  • 4 feared dead, 8 injured in Anambra auto crash

    Four persons were feared dead and eight others sustained injuries in a multiple accident along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Awka, Anambra state on Wednesday.

    The accident, involving an articulated tanker and a Mercedes Benz 608 bus, occurred at about 2am at the Immigration junction, Agu-Awka.

    The Nation gathered the articulated vehicle, loaded with fuel was coming from the Onitsha axis when it suddenly lost control following a brake failure.

    It was also learnt the truck while descending the slope rammed into the bus loaded with yam tubers from the opposite direction.

    “The truck ran into the bus because of the inability of the bus driver to speed off.

    “I suspect that it developed some fault before it got there,” a man who claimed to have witnessed the accident said.

    When our reporter visited the scene of the accident, one of the occupants of the bus was still trapped in the vehicle while men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police, Fire Service and Civil defence were on ground to control traffic.

    Confirming the incident, Staff Officer to the Sector Commander, FRSC, Ejem Ufiem, said two persons trapped in the vehicle died instantly while two others were taken to hospital for medical attention.

    He said: “The crash scene has been cordoned off, while operatives of the NPF, FRSC and NSCDC are combining efforts to control traffic.

    “The Anambra State Fire Service is also on ground, cooling the tanker occasionally to prevent explosion.

    “Efforts are being made to transload the fuel to another tanker while awaiting FRSC Asaba tow truck to remove the tanker off the road.”

    He advised motorists plying on the Enugu/Onitsha expressway to be careful and cooperate with traffic officers on duty.

  • Two dead, others injured in Anambra auto crash

    Two persons died and two others were injured in an accident involving a petrol-laden tanker and a Mercedes Benz Bus at Agu-Awka Junction, Awka, Anambra.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the scene of the crash gathered that the tanker which was Enugu-bound ran into the bus loaded with food items.

    The bus was trying to join the Expressway from the junction leading to Old road.

    The accident occurred at about 1.10 a.m. on Wednesday.

    A combined team of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Fire Service personnel was seen cordoning off the area, diverting traffic and ensuring that fire did not inflame again.

    Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Sector Commander of the FRSC told NAN that his team arrived the crash scene 10 minutes after the incident was reported for rescue.

    Kumapayi said four persons were involved including three males and one female.

    He blamed the crash on speed violation and loss of control.

    “About 1.15 a.m. this morning, we got a report of a crash involving a petrol tanker marked YLA 170 XM with product and a Mercedes Benz bus with Reg. No: BKL 80 XA at Immigration Junction, Agu Awka.

    “Four persons were involved; two died on the spot and two including a man and a woman have been taken to Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for medical attention,’’ he said.

    Kumapayi called on drivers and owners of articulated vehicles plying the Anambra route to maintain their vehicles and observe traffic rules and regulations at all times.

    He warned that his command would not fold its arms and watch motorists waste the lives and property of innocent citizens on the highway

    NAN reports that the sector commander alongside other stakeholders in traffic management held a town hall meeting with truck drivers in Onitsha on Monday on ways to curb carnage.

    The command had decided to commence strict enforcement of articulated vehicle driver’s compliance with rules in the state from April.

  • Eight die in two Ondo auto crashes

    Six persons reportedly died on the spot and 10 others sustained serious injuries in a ghastly lone accident that involved a Benue state- bound bus from Ogbomoso.

    Eye witness said the incident occurred on a bridge between Ajowa and Gedegede in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state.

    Sources said it was the heavy bang from the vehicle that attracted residents of Gedegede who rushed there and met the vehicle in flames.

    Men of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ikare unit rushed to the scene to rescue accident victims with the community residents.

    Read Also: Three die in Ondo road crash

    The Ondo State Sector Commander of FRSC, Commander Rotimi Adeleye attributed the carnage to recklessness of the driver and the night journey which might have affected his visibility.

    He also noted that tiredness due to sleepless night and over speeding in the sharp corner, close to the bridge might be another cause of the incident.

    Also in Akure, the state capital, two young men, including a popular entertainer, simply called Tobi and his friend (name unknown) died in a road crash near the popular St. Peter’s college area, Adegbola junction.

    They were alleged to be coming from a club house around 4.00 am when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which forced it to veer off the median and crashed.

    Sympathisers rushed out from their beds and rushed the victims to an undisclosed hospital where they reportedly died few minutes after admission.

  • FRSC arrests 50 traffic offenders in Ibadan

    As part of strategies to ensure safety during the yuletide season, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) mobile court in Oyo State, says it arrested 50 traffic offenders in Ibadan.

    Mrs Cecilia Alao, the state FRSC Sector Commander told newsmen that offenders were arrested during the exercise in Egbeda area of Ibadan on Thursday.

    She listed their offences to include overloading and dangerous driving among others.

    The sector commander said the mobile court was a shift from normal patrol operation where motorists apprehended for various offences were given tickets to go and pay.

    Alao said the arrested motorists were arraigned in the presence of a magistrate, adding that the magistrate used his discretion to fine or sentenced the offenders.

    She said it was the discretion of the magistrate of the mobile court to either remand in prison those that failed to meet the fine until they paid or release them without paying any thing.

    Read Also: ‘Police, FRSC, others abet rice smuggling’

    “So far we have apprehended 50 vehicles for violating various traffic offences ranges from overloading, driving without licence, use of expired tyres and dangerous driving among others.

    “This exercise, starting today will end on Jan. 15 and we hope it will serve as deterrent to road users.

    “Most of these vehicles arrested are passengers’ vehicles who are carrying six passengers instead of four.

    “And in case of any eventuality there will be no space for the driver to maneuver and we don’t what this to happen.

    “Our aim is to ensure people drive safely during this period and obey the traffic rules and regulations for their safety,’’ she said.

    The sector commander said the FRSC in Oyo State would be deploying over 800 personnel including the Special marshals during the season.

    She said that 26 operational vehicles and ambulances would also be deployed on the roads in case of any emergency.

    One of the offenders, Mr Isa Muraina said he was arrested for dangerous driving and was fined eight thousand naira.

    NAN

     

  • Christmas: ‘201 FRSC mobile courts to begin sitting Monday’

    The 201 mobile courts set up by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), nationwide to prosecute traffic offenders during the yuletide season, will begin sitting on Monday,

    Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of the FRSC, disclosed this on Saturday in Ibadan during his visit to Oyo State, in an effort  to ensure free flow of traffic nationwide during the yuletide season.

    The Corps Marshal said all his personnel would be mobilized to ensure motorist obey traffic rules and urged road users to comply with traffic regulations so as not to spend their Christmas and New Year in prison custody.

    He called for maximum punishment for any motorists that assault any of his personnel, saying 71 of his officers were assaulted by motorists from January till date as a result of malicious behaviour of some road users.

    Oyeyemi advised motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel as we move towards the end of year 2018.

    He said the commission has been able to bring down the  number of road traffic crashes to single digit in 2018 compared to 2017, saying this was an indication that an appreciable achievement had been achieved.

    Oyeyemi said the FRSC was embarking on critical assessment of key federal roads nationwide in which Lagos-Ibadan Express way tour-gate, Iwo road express way were among in order to ensure free flow of traffic during yuletide period.

    “I am satisfied with the level of operation so far and we are complying with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure free flow of traffic and reduce road crashes.

    Read Also: FRSC to drivers: Drive safely, arrive safely

    `I have set down full enforcement to ensure removal of obstruction from high ways, proper manning of all diversion areas so that we don’t experience gridlock and rescue team fully activated among others,’’ Oyeyemi said.

    Oyeyemi urged road users to plan their journey and not to be in haste to complete the journey of four hours in two hours, saying most federal roads were now undergoing repair and motorist may not spend the normal time they spent when traffic was light.

    He promised prompt response of the commission whenever there was traffic obstruction or road crashes and appealed to motorists to cooperate adequately.

    Oyeyemi also urged the FRSC personnel conduct themselves in a professional manner.

    NAN

  • Lagos sets up team for free flow of traffic

    Lagos State Government has established a Special Team to ensure efficient traffic compliance in the State and particularly to address the observable flagrant disobedience to traffic rules by motorists.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), AIG Chris Olakpe (Rtd) disclosed this Thursday after a tour of notable traffic prone areas of the state in company of other top hierarchy of the Agency including the General Manager, Mr. Olawale Musa.

    He said the development was part of series of actions and concerted efforts taken to tackle traffic gridlock headlong across the State.

    The Special Team, according to him, consists of the Police, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and men from different military formations with the purpose of maintaining physical presence and ensuring compliance at the identified traffic trouble spots.

    He expressed optimism that the officers would bring their experiences and professionalism to bear and compliment the efforts of existing staff on ground, adding that their primary responsibility is to ensure efficiency in the traffic control and enforcement of traffic laws all over the state.

    Olakpe warned that LASTMA would not hesitate to prosecute recalcitrant motorists in the habit of flouting the existing traffic laws, assuring that the agency remains totally committed to ensuring efficient traffic control across the State.

    He assured that no stone will be left unturned in the management of traffic and enforcement of traffic laws in the State.

    ”A radical problem required a radical solution. Therefore, I want to state clearly that any motorist caught violating the law would face full wrath of the law. Let me also seize this opportunity to plead with Lagosians and the general public for orderliness to reign on the roads,” he said.

    He said all owners of articulated vehicles apprehended at Apapa earlier this week for willful obstruction, and 36 other vehicle owners arrested for driving against traffic will soon have their day in court accordingly.

    Olakpe enjoined traffic officers to be more dedicated and work within the ambit of law, saying that it had become imperative especially now that repair and rehabilitation of roads are in top gear across the State.

  • Group to FG: Overhaul FRSC within 14 days

    A group, Campaign for Democracy (CD) has given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to overhaul the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) or face massive street protests.

    The group based its call on allegations of corruption and human right abuses against the commission, lamenting that graft was becoming the order of day among officials of FRSC.

    Read Also:FRSC tasks drivers on regular eye checks

    In a statement signed by the group’s publicity secretary, Dede Uzor, CD said in spite of efforts by individuals and organisations to restrain the commission from sliding into the bandwagon of corruption, it had continued to inexorably decay.

    “We hereby give the federal government 14-day ultimatum to overhaul the FRSC. If nothing is done at the end of the 14th day, we will mobilise our members and the masses to protest the human right abuses of Nigerians by the commission.

    “The FRSC has indirectly increased the cost of acquiring new driver’s licence between N25, 000 to N30, O00 from about N6, 500.

    “As if that isn’t enough, Nigerians are made to pay almost the same amount when they want to renew their licences. This is not what is obtained abroad. This is gross cheating.

    “They have abandoned their mandate of ensuring safety on the roads to full commercialization of FRSC,” it said.

    CD noted that the states in the southeast as well as Delta were worst victims of the exorbitant driver’s licence renewal fees, calling at the FRSC office at Bridgehead Onitsha.

    “They have civilian agents who collect money for them from overloaded vehicles. Bridgehead has become very attractive for them. Even when the police and army have left the place to allow free flow of traffic, FRSC still blocks the bridge and cause avoidable traffic jam,” said the group.

  • FRSC secures 73 convictions in Akwa Ibom

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Akwa Ibom Sector Command, said it secured 73 convictions during the recently-concluded Eid-El- Kabir Special Patrol operations.
    The Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Oghenekaro, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday.
    Oghenekaro said that the special patrol, which commenced on August 17, recorded increased road users’ sensitisation in motor parks, markets, offices and places of worship.
    According to him, the sensitisation was aimed at creating awareness in reducing road traffic accidents.
    The sector commander added that the operation was executed by full mobile court, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom Judiciary, to achieve results.
    He expressed displeasure that in spite of the sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns across the state, road users were yet to come to terms with road realities and obey traffic rules.
    “The outcome of the special patrol operations in the state shows that out of the 75 road offenders prosecuted, 73 were convicted and made to pay option of fines while two were discharged.
    “The traffic reality from the operations outcome is not representative of the command’s expectation of zero crash, zero fatality vision,” Oghenekaro said.
    The sector commander warned drivers against driving without due training, stressing that driving was a profession that should be handled by only trained personnel.
    He urged drivers to avoid driving mechanically deficient vehicles, drinking and driving, driving under fatigue or drug influence, adding that speeding was the major cause of road crashes in the country.
    He said, “I wish to advise road users to be more safety conscious, ensure traffic discipline and show value for life and its sanctity by strict obedience to traffic rules and regulations.”

    Read also: I am confident of picking PDP’s ticket – Makarfi

    The sector commander also said during the period under review, four road traffic crashes occurred which involved five vehicles and 26 persons.
    According to him, 11 casualties occurred during the crashes, adding that one was killed in the process.
    He cautioned drivers and other road users to use the roads with care, show consideration to other users, especially school children when they want to cross the road.
    He commanded the Akwa Ibom Government, Nigeria Optometrists Association and the media for their contributions to ensure safety on the roads.