The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)

  • SGF to induct Board chairmen, members on Corporate Governance

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha will on Thursday 26th July, 2018 open an induction programme for recently appointed Board Chairmen and Members, on Corporate Governance in their agencies.

    A statement by Lawrence Ojabo, Director Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said that it aims at establishing and promoting good board governance culture rooted in the Federal Public Service Precepts, Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Organisational values.

    Read Also:SGF denies composition of Buhari 2019 presidential support committee

    “The Heads of EFFC, ICPC, BPP and a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will facilitate the programme, which ends on Saturday 28th July, 2018”

    Agencies invited to the programme are Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF).

    Others are Galaxy Backbone, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRIMI) and Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

  • 15 die in Ondo road crash

    No fewer than 15 passengers travelling along Epinmi-Isua Akoko in Ondo state reportedly died Tuesday in a road accident.

    Sources said the victims were travelling in a bus when the vehicle had a head on collision with an unregistered Tokunbo vehicle.

    It was learnt that the vehicles consequently caught fire which nearly consumed all occupants of the bus.

    Read Also:We’ll open up Ondo with accessible roads, Infrastructure – Akeredolu

    An eye witness said the ‘Tokunbo’ vehicle which was driven by a military man was said to have overtaken a vehicle along the ever busy Epinmi-Isua-Abuja road.

    The Police Area Commander for Akoko, Razak Rauf who was on a routine trip to some divisions in the area confirmed the accident and attributed it to recklessness.

    A community leader and Chief Imam of Epinmi-Akoko,Alhaji Maliki Alimi lamented the incessant road carnage along the same route in recent time.

    It was learnt that men of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ikare Akoko  unit immediately came for rescue operation.

    They reportedly evacuated the corpses to Ikare-Akoko Specialist hospital mortuary.

    It was also confirmed that the drivers of the two vehicles survived but sustained various degrees of injuries and now receiving treatment in the hospital.

  • FRSC seeks stakeholders’ collaboration to reduce road carnages

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) has urged commuters and transport unions to collaborate with the commission to mitigate road carnages.

    Mr Hyginus Omeje, Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, made this appeal on Tuesday at the 2018 West Africa Road Safety Organisation ( WARSO ) Day held in Lagos.

    The News men reports that WARSO anniversary is observed annually on May 8 across the West African sub-region.

    The 2018 anniversary tagged, “WARSO in the last 10 years, Journey So Far” had in attendance FRSC Special Marshal, members of transport unions and other security agencies.

    Omeje, who noted that road crashes had been on downward trend, however, said that the number was still huge, hence the need for commuters and transport unions to do more in sensitisation.

    According to him, commuters must not be quiet when any driver is endangering their lives by violating traffic rules and regulations.

    “If you see something, say something. Passengers can do much in reducing accident and save lives but what we discover is that more often than not, passengers keep quite.

    “If you are in a bus and the driver is speeding, you owe it as a duty to raise your voice; but what we see is the opposite, passengers keep quiet.

    “At times, other passengers will even silence the one raising alarm. This is unfortunate, life has no duplicate.

    “We should all be proactive in ensuring that we mitigate road crashes.

    “It is no more news that road traffic injuries claim more than 1.3 million lives each year and have a huge impact on health and development.

    “It is the attitude of the road users that is the problem. If overloading will be stopped as well as driving under influence of alcohol, transport unions have a role to play,” he said.

    The FRSC boss said that road crashes had killed more than malaria and HIV aids or any other diseases had killed.

    According to him, the commission has been going to motor parks to dissuade drivers from taking alcohol or any substance capable of affecting their moods and psyches.

    Omeje said that the aim of WARSO was to promote and reinforce road safety activities in the region.

    According to him, the organisation supports national road safety bodies, coordinate road safety activities, promote and encourage exchange of experience and information among member nations.

    “Within the last 10 years, WARSO has lived up to expectations and mandate for its establishment.

    Read Also: FRSC to impound truck, trailers with extra head light

    “We have been able to come up with a uniform template to record road crashes in the sub-region.

    “We have been able to inculcate road safety activities in schools curriculum in member states to ensure children imbibe road safety culture in primary and secondary schools.

    “To commemorate this year anniversary, we have organised a motorised road show to sensitise the motoring public on the proper use of the highways to reduce crashes,” he added.

    He said that Nigeria had been able to support member nations in setting up road safety bodies as well as having coordinated road safety activities.

    Omeje said that road crashes had been gradually and steadily declining in the last three decades of FRSC establishment since 1988.

    According to him, in the first decade of FRSC existence ( 1988-1997 ), the FRSC records 207, 746 crashes, while 138, 974 road crashes was recorded in the second decade ( 1998- 2007 ).

    “There is a downward trend in the number killed. The number killed in the first decade was 81, 495 and this came down to 65, 098.

    “In the third decade between 2008 and 2017, road crashes came down to 112, 812 while the number killed also came down to 58, 706.

    “There is a consistent trending down, we are not yet there. The number of crashes and victims is still huge.

    “There is still much more work to be done in terms of awareness, sensitisation, infrastructure to help in ensuring mitigation of this menace called traffic crashes on our roads”

    He advised governments in the sub-region to strengthen various institutions mandated with prompting road safety to be effective.

    Also speaking, Mr Adegboyega Adekunbi, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ), Ojodu Branch B, commended the FRSC and other traffic agencies for the sensitisation.

    Adekunbi, represented by Mr Taiwo Abiodun, the Secretary of the branch, however, urged the law enforcement agencies to always position themselves at strategic points that would curb accidents on highways.

    The News men  reports that the commission, apart from the road show, organised medical checkups and public enlightenment for transport unions at Berger Park, Ojodu to commemorate the WARSO Day.

    NAN

  • FRSC seeks varsities collaboration to curb road crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) has called for the collaboration of universities in the country to curb road accidents.

    Mrs Stella Uchegbu, FRSC Sector Commander in Ebonyi, made the call on Saturday at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE—FUNAI), during an interactive session with the university community.

    Uchegbu said that universities as citadels of learning have great roles to play in educating and enlightening the populace to obey traffic rules and regulations.

    “I am saddened over loss of lives on the state’s roads with this institution, losing an illustrious professor under such circumstance in 2017.

    “The FRSC immediately intervened and rescued the late professor after the accident as we are determined to prevent death on roads in the state.

    “This might be a tall ambition but actualising it involves the collaboration of all stakeholders including universities with emphasis placed on prevention more than rescue,” he said.

    The sector commander described FRSC officials as rescuers and advised road users, especially drivers, to always drive safely.

    “Drivers should embrace defensive driving to reduce death on our roads despite the various factors which influence driving on the roads.

    “There is an aspect of the traffic mix that predisposes people to road crashes and this consists of human elements: drivers, passengers and pedestrians among others.

    “Drivers should take cognizance of preventive measures to avoid road crashes which include: observing road safety signs, rules and regulations, wearing of seatbelt, genuinely obtaining drivers licenses, among others.

    “Cyclists should always wear their helmets while on the roads and also obey all traffic regulations to stay alive.

    “FRSC wishes to inform the public that driving is not allowed for individuals below 18 years and those above 70 years of age,” she said.

    Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice-Chancellor of AE—FUNAI, appreciated the sector commander for the visit and noted that the shared knowledge would greatly enrich the university community.

    “I also thank the staff and students for their large turnout as road crashes had inflicted serious pains on the university.

    “We also assure the public that challenges such as security threats, cultism and theft among others would be seriously tackled to attain the lofty heights set by the university,” he said.

    Road safety tips were given to the university community by officials of the FRSC as both parties interacted on general road safety issues.

    The occasion also witnessed an interdenominational prayer summit to mark the two years in office of the vice-chancellor, with prayers also said for university community members who died of road crashes.

    NAN

  • FRSC confirms 10 dead in Zamfara auto-crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission  ( FRSC ) in Zamfara has confirmed the death of  10  persons in Sunday’s  late evening auto-crash in the state.

    Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Nasiru Ahmed, said the incident occurred on the Sokoto-Gusau road  and involved  a head-on collision between a Golf car and a truck.

    The accident, he said, was due to over-speeding and loss of control on both sides.

    Ahmed said 10 persons died while two other persons sustained  injuries and were currently receiving treatment at Yariman Bakura Special Hospital in  Gusau.

    He urged drivers to avoid night journeys as a way of reducing crashes on the roads.

    NAN

  • Anambra inaugurates monthly road walk for workers, residents

    Anambra inaugurates monthly road walk for workers, residents

    The Ministry of Sports and Youths Entrepreneurship in Anambra has inaugurated a monthly road walk for workers and residents in the state.

    The exercise, supported by the Anambra Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ), was led by Mr Harry Udu, the Head of Service in the state on Wednesday.

    Uju Nwogu, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Entrepreneurship, joined some senior civil servants and some residents in the state on the road walk on the major roads in Awka, the state capital.

    Nwogu said the monthly exercise was part of the activities of the ministry aimed at raising awareness on mental and physical alertness of workers.

    She said that obesity resulting from sedentary lifestyles of people was responsible for the frequent visits to hospitals over minor ailment and heart attacks.

    The commissioner also said it was targeted toward enhancing the physical well-being of the residents of the state and engenders greater productivity of workers.

    She said the ministry would make staff of government in the local governments to hold their own exercise in subsequent editions as all workers could not come to Awka for the programme.

    “This is a monthly jogging and walking, a programme of the Ministry of Sports and Youths Entrepreneurship for all workers and residents of Anambra.

    “We want to encourage physical exercise to keep fit because a healthy man is a wealthy man; it is only a healthy man that can be productive.

    “Again, it is important because it drives away illnesses like cancer, high blood pressure, heart attack and other related illnesses; the psychomotor of workers is also sharpened,’’ she said.

    Meanwhile, Sunday Ajayi, Sector Commander of the FRSC who participated in the exercise, said it was a welcome development.

    Ajayi said the FRSC would provide all logistics support within its powers to enable it succeed, adding that keeping fit was good for safety on the road.

    “I want to say that health is wealth as they say, what has happened today is a landmark event and I thank the state government for approving this exercise.

    “I foresee positive outcome after this exercise in terms of productivity of workers, the FRSC has always collaborated with the state government and we shall work with the ministry of sports on this programme.

    “Fatigued people are advised not to drive, sick people are advised not to drive, you need exercise to drive those things away,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Udu said that road walk was not just for workers in Anambra, but the entire citizenry.

    The head of service said that even though the inauguration was symbolic, the people of the state were expected to engage in physical exercise at the individual levels on daily basis.

    He said the monthly programme was a ministerial duty which was in line with the rules of civil service, and encouraged workers to turn out in large numbers whenever they were called out to exercise.

    “It should not be a monthly affair, individuals should work out their plans for daily exercise and it is not for workers only, but the entire people.

    “This will improve the thinking process, metal alertness and strength of our people both those in civil service and those that are in business, the state government is encouraging people to keep fit.

    “This is part of the awareness, we will ensure that those outside Awka also benefit from this exercise, people can gather at the local government field and exercise for some minutes,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Breaking: Army bans trucks on Lagos bridges

    Breaking: Army bans trucks on Lagos bridges

    ... Orders articulated vehicle owners to vacate bridges by Thursday

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday ordered drivers of articulated and other heavy-duty trucks to vacate the Carter Bridge and other overpass in Lagos with effect from Thursday.

    There were claims that the bridges may buckle under the weight of the articulated trucks and these may have forced the army to swing into action and prevent a major disaster in the nation’s economic and commercial capital.

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) had last year warned that the gridlocks created by trucks on the bridges were dangerous and had damaging effects on the overpass.

    The movement of the trucks to the bridges followed the state government’s directive to owners and operators of articulated vehicles, trailers, and petroleum tankers to stay away from Apapa and its environs until it finds a lasting solution to the unending traffic bottleneck in the city.

  • Tricycle riders burn FRSC vehicle, injure six in Jos

    Tricycle riders burn FRSC vehicle, injure six in Jos

    Tricycle riders on Monday allegedly burnt down a patrol vehicle and injured six personnel of the Plateau command of the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) in Jos.

    Mr Andrew Bala, the command’s Public Education Officer, confirmed the incident to our reporter in Jos.

    The tricycle riders had occupied major streets of Jos protesting alleged extortion by officers and men of the commission and state Vehicle Inspection Office.

    According to Bala, the protesters visited the Bauchi ring road unit command where they beat up officers on duty and vandalised the  building.

    “They burnt one of our patrol vehicles, vandalised another and destroyed a lot of valuables at our office premises on Bauchi ring road.

    “They also vandalised eight other vehicles in the office premises and some at a mechanic workshop close to the office.

    “In our bid to resist the act, six of our personnel were badly injured,”  Bala said.

    NAN

  • Seven die, four injured in Bida-Minna road crash

    Seven die, four injured in Bida-Minna road crash

    Mr Yusuf Garba, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) in Niger said on Monday that seven persons died  in an accident on the Bida-Minna road.

    Garba told our reporter in Minna that four persons were also injured in the incident which occurred on Monday morning.

    He said wrong overtaking was responsible for the accident which   involved  a bus with registration number FXT 234 XD  and an articulated vehicle marked  RTD  163XA.

    The sector commander said the injured were taken to the Bida General Hospital for treatment while the relatives of the seven victims who died were buried according to Islamic injunction.

    Garba said the FRSC personnel had  responded promptly to a distress call by a witness immediately after the crash some  36 kilometres  from Bida.

    He urged road users to avoid reckless driving, adding that this was  usually responsible for the problems on the highways.

    The sector commander also called on road users to imbibe the spirit of adhering to  traffic rules and regulations in order to stay alive on the highways. NAN

  • Women drivers use seat belt more than men in Adamawa – FRSC

    Women drivers use seat belt more than men in Adamawa – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ), Adamawa Sector Command, on Thursday, said women drivers used seat belts more than men drivers in the state.

    The Sector Commander, Adegoke Adetunji, said this during Ember Months Campaign Awareness in Yola.

    According to him, women drivers have low involvement record in accidents compared with men in the state.

    Adetunji said available records showed that “in every 10 female drivers, seven to eight used seat belts, while in every 10 males, only three to four drivers used seat belt.”

    He added that investigations conducted by the FRSC command revealed that women drivers abide by road traffic rules and regulations more than men.

    He noted that “our investigation also shows that of the few women drivers arrested over violation of road traffic, majority of them committed the offence mistakenly.

    “Majority of women drivers show remorse after arrest, unlike male drivers who may be indifferent or give excuses.”

    On the ember months campaign awareness, he said the cardinal objective was to educate the public on the need to be road safety conscious.

    He added that “as the month of December and New Year approach, it is clear that the period record increase of travellings and festivities.

    “Safety on our highways is our collective responsibility, hence the need to abide by traffic rules and regulations for our safety,” Adetunji said.

    NAN