The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)

  • FRSC: Senate moves to stop speed limiting device

    FRSC: Senate moves to stop speed limiting device

    The Senate on Thursday, resolved to halt the plan by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to implement the use of speed limiting device by vehicles in the country.

    Consequently, it mandated its Committee on Federal Character to investigate the plan to ensure that it did not add to the hardship currently being experienced by Nigerians.

    This followed a point of order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) during plenary.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FRSC had in 2016 advised vehicle owners to install speed limiting device in their vehicles.

    The device is electro-mechanic and restrains a vehicle from moving on more than the stipulated speed limit, and its enforcement is to check speeding believed to be a major cause of vehicles accidents.

    Melaye said, “there is a proposal by the Federal Road Safety Corps to begin implementation of speed limiting device and this device is to be sold to individuals by the commission.

    “This policy will not go down with the masses of this country.

    “This is not the time to bring economic hardship on the already traumatised people in this country.

    “In every civilised part of the world, it is the responsibility of road safety authorities or agencies like her to mark speed limits on the road and when you beat this speed, they charge you.

    “To ask individuals to purchase speed device from Road Safety is unacceptable and this is even not the time to do it,” he said.

    He called on the leadership of the Senate to intervene in the matter and stop the “draconian move”.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, referred the matter to the Federal Character Committee to handle and report back urgently.

     

  • FRSC decries commercial motorcycle related accidents, emphasizes training

    FRSC decries commercial motorcycle related accidents, emphasizes training

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Anambra has described accidents and injuries involving commercial motorcyclists  as alarming.

    Mr Sunday Ajayi, the Sector Commander in the state, expressed the view when he  addressed some 800 motorcyclists during a sensitisation programme in Awka on Sunday.

    He said the operators were lucky that Anambra government had not outlawed their operations in the state capital as was the case in many states.

    Ajayi said the motorcyclists should not use the opportunity granted them by the state government to kill e themselves and other road users.

    The commander who said the state recorded 115 commercial motorcycle accidents in  2014, 74 in 2015, 65 in 2016 and 13 in the current year with four resulting in deaths.

    He blamed the accidents on the lack of training, use of drugs and intoxicants, route violation and overloading.

    Ajayi urged the motorcyclists  not to see themselves as frustrated but as crucial stakeholders in road transport business who had better reach with speed.

    “We are worried because you people are killing yourselves and other road users because of recklessness, all these are avoidable if you are properly trained and not just moving your bikes.

    “In most state capitals, Okada business is banned but Gov. Willie Obiano still accommodates you because of his concern for the common man, but that should not be a licence to kill yourselves.

    “This sensitisation is to keep you abreast with some of the safety standards we have for Okada operators because we shall intensify our enforcement which borders on licence, use of crash helmet, overloading, speed,  among others,” he said.

    Ajayi urged the motorcyclists’ union to ensure that members passed the minimum requirements before they were admitted as members.

    In his remark, the Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), Awka South Branch, Mr Ajuluchukwu Nwozor, said they would continue to partner FRSC to   sensitise the members.

    Nwozor said the union was equally worried by accidents involving its members, adding that the sensitisation campaign was part of the efforts of MTUN to make  the roads safe.

     

  • Oyo, FRSC vows to enforce crash helmet usage

    The Oyo State Government and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has said they will begin the enforcement of crash helmets rule for motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders in the state.

    The State Governor, Sen Abiola Ajimobi and the State Sector ‎Commander of FRSC, MR Yussuf Salami disclosed this yesterday during a sensitisation/safety awareness programme organised by the community relations unity of the state government.

    Ajimobi, who was represented ‎by his Chief of Staff, Dr Gbade Ojo said it is the role of government to ensure safety of lives and properties, adding that due to recklessness and non-usage of crash helmet, many motorcyclist and passengers have lost their lives.

    According to him, we have distributed thousands of crash helmets to okada riders in the past just to protect their lives.

    “Oyo State Government does not intend to ban okada riders but we are charged with the responsibility to protect the lives of our citizenry and that is why we need to partner with law enforcement agencies to enforce the usage of helmet. They must be cautious on the highway and must begin to use helmet.

    ‘Thousands of helmets were distributed to them last year but we observe that some of them are not using it and are keeping it at home. They also engage on overload thereby endangering the lives of their passengers and creating social problems. All this are causing overstretching of government facilities in hospitals\’ he said‎

    In his own view, Salami noted that the agency will partner with the state government to enforce stiffer penalties for Okada riders without helmet.

    The FRSC Sector Commander said‎ the decline in helmets usage in the state had caused untold hazards.

    Salami said: “Any Okada rider caught without helmet is fined N10, 000 but I think if we can increase the fine in partnership with the Oyo State Government, so many Okada rider will adhere strictly to the rules and regulation. ‎Many Okada riders in this state needs attitudinal change and are inpatient. They are even ungrateful to government because they should have banned them.

    “If we now charge them N30, 000 for non-usage of safety helmet, I know they will change. I will even advice the state government to state conducting psychiatric test on them because most of them behave abnormal while riding. Even Okada riders unions unit that ought to discipline their members are only interested in their daily dues. So many deaths has been recorded in this state from Okada accidents”

    He urged the state government to have a database for all Okada riders in the state and give them same uniform in order to curb crimes.‎

    Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Government on Community Relations, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade said a typical Okada rider is not patient, adding that they ride the Okada as if they are the only people using the road.

    He said: “Another appalling habit of Okada riders is harassment of other road users especially anytime‎ there is an accident involving one of them. Whether they are guilty or not, they will want to solidarise with their fellow Okada rider involved in an accident and in the process, harass and threaten other road users”

    ‎Part of the communique reached at the end of the meeting are:

    With effect from today;‎ No person shall operate a motorcycle (Okada) in Oyo State without a valid riders license;‎  No person shall operate a motorcycle (Okada) without proper registration number plate, ‎Incase of any Okada accident, a passenger or rider should seek proper medical check-up.‎

    All Motorcycle must be road worthy and must have the two side mirrors fixed on them; ‎No person shall operate a motorcycle without wearing a standard crash helmet with full head protection.‎ In case of a passenger on a motorcycle (Okada), the owner or rider of such a motorcycle shall provide a standard crash helmet for the use of the passenger;
    • No motorcycle (Okada) operator shall carry more than one passenger at a time;
    • No motorcycle (Okada) operator should carry any load at any time.‎ ‎Alcohol should not be sold in any motor parks.

  • FRSC deploys 200 personnel on Suleja-Kaduna road

    FRSC deploys 200 personnel on Suleja-Kaduna road

    Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Suleja unit, has deployed more than 200 personnel with 15 patrol vehicles on a 24-hour patrol on the Suleja-Kaduna Federal highway.

    Mr Olayinka Akande, Suleja Unit Commander of the FRSC, made the disclosure on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Suleja.

    He said that the unit had intensified efforts in monitoring the conduct of road users to check road crashes due to the proximity of Nnamdi Azikikwe International Airport to Suleja.

    He said that the personnel would monitor drivers to ensure that motorists respect traffic rules and regulations.

    Akande urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulation to prevent road accidents.

    He warned motorists against overloading and dangerous driving, stressing that anyone found wanting would be dealt with accordingly.

    He said that the unit was partnering with members of National Union of Road Transport Workers and other stakeholders in Suleja,Tafa and Gurara Local Government Areas to educate motorists on the dangers of making calls while driving.

    “Our primary concern is to prevent road crashes by mobilising road users to desist from dangerous driving especially overtaking in sharp bends among others, ” he said.

  • FRSC confirms three dead in Anambra auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Anambra Command, said three persons died on Monday night in an accident involving a commercial bus and a Hilux truck in Awgbu, Orumba Local Government Area.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, told newsmen that the incident was caused by speeding and wrong overtaking.

    Ajayi said the number of accidents and deaths on the road since the beginning of the year was disturbing.

    According to him, it is an indication that the drivers are not cautious of the enormity of the responsibilities on them.

    He said the accidents would have been drastically reduced during the period if people had embraced the Speed Limiting Device which the Federal Government introduced through the FRSC, and was already being enforced.

    “The unfortunate accident at Awgbu occurred between 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and from the information we gathered, it was caused by speeding and wrong overtaking.

    “By our account, it was a multiple fatal accident involving a Toyota Hiace and Hilux truck; three people died on the spot, and those injured have been taken to hospital for treatment,” the sector commander said.

  • Kaduna Govt. orders FRSC off streets

    Kaduna Govt. orders FRSC off streets

    The Kaduna State Government has barred personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from erecting checkpoints in Kaduna and other urban centres in the state.

    The directive is contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by Mr Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai on Media and Publicity.

    It said that the decision was taken by the state Security Council after a meeting in which it reviewed complaints from the general public against the road marshals.

    “The council acted following complaints that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the VIO that was dissolved by the state government following widespread unease at their acts of disrespect for the public and penchant for extortion,” it said.

    The government stressed that the FRSC personnel have been barred “from indiscriminately stopping vehicles for inspection in Kaduna town, a situation which has been responsible for avoidable traffic congestion and accidents.”

    The government further directed the FRSC officials to, henceforth, concentrate their activities “in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.”

    It also barred petrol tankers from loading firewood, tomatoes and other goods on top of their vehicles throughout the state, because of the danger the practice pose to lives and property.

    “The Security Council, therefore, mandated security agencies to ensure compliance with these directives, and relevant agencies were also directed to impound defaulting tankers.”

    The meeting of the Security Council was chaired by the governor, and had in attendance his Deputy, Mr Barnabas Bala, and heads of military and paramilitary agencies in the state.

  • Yuletide: Police move to end gridlock, robbery on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    Yuletide: Police move to end gridlock, robbery on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    The Nigeria Police Friday said it would man the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway round the clock to ensure that those travelling for the festive period are safe.

    Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Kayode Aderanti stated this during a tour of the route and inspection of identified black spots.

    He assured that the construction companies carrying out rehabilitation works on the road would remove all road blocks and diversions for easy movement.

    According to Aderanti, the complaints from users of the road was of concern to the Inspector General of Police  (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, who directed that the police in the zone should collaborate with other agencies to bring succor to the masses.

    He said: “We embarked on this mission at the behest of IGP who’s concerned about gridlock and brigandage along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He directed us to undertake joint interagency inspection to see the way out and put in a good template to ensure millions of people travelling out of Lagos are safe. We cannot pretend things are okay.

    “We are interested in security and free flow of traffic. We are ready to provide security 24 hours daily if the construction workers want to extend their working hours.

    “In order to ensure that our people are safe and happy, we would place patrol vehicles along the expressway to wade off miscreants and criminals. There would be heavy police presence both uniformed and undercover personnel because we understand that crime has no boundary.”

    Continuing, Aderanti who visited Julius Berger and RCC companies to ascertain when they would complete their work, expressed pleasure that the long bridge and Shagamu Interchange would be opened in a few weeks’ time.

    He said: “Julius Berger has promised that they would complete their work on the long bridge and the Shagamu Interchange in a few weeks’ time. That means people would be able to travel with ease as traffic congestion caused by certain diversions would reduce.

    “As for the police, we would collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other relevant agencies in Lagos and Ogun for free flow of traffic. We would provide the agencies the needed security for them to do their jobs.

    “We are also going to man all the identified black spots. Collaborate with the construction companies to see how they can block most of the illegal entry and exit points around Warewa.”

    Of the 184 illegal entries and exits identified in October at Warewa, it was gathered that 105 has so far been blocked.

    At the tour were Ogun State Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu, representative of the Federal Ministry of Works Olukayode Popoola and FRSC representative MO Olapade, among others.

    In his remark, Popoola decried the encroachment on right of way, noting the need for the relocation of Mowe Market.

    He also appealed to motorists to exercise patience, so as to minimise the congestion.

  • Speed limit device: FRSC issues warning tickets to 41,381 defaulters

    Speed limit device: FRSC issues warning tickets to 41,381 defaulters

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday issued warning tickets to 41,381 commercial drivers nationwide who defaulted in the implementation of the Speed Limiting Device.
    Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the compliance level for 43,433 vehicles was checked nationwide, out of which 2,273 vehicles complied, while 41,381 were yet to comply.
    Kazeem said that tickets were issued to the 41,381 yet to comply with the implementation, adding that the corps had recorded above five per cent compliance level nationwide within two weeks.
    He said the corps had commenced the advisory enforcement of the device which was more of subtle force, on Oct. 1, 2016
    “Like we explained, subtle force is a sought of enforcement approach that entails us stopping commercial vehicles and finding out whether they have installed the speed limiting device.
    “If they have not, a ticket is issued to that offender, it is called free safety check and it is to warn that you have been verified not to have installed the device.
    “Progressively as at now, 43,433 vehicles have been checked and the number with the device is 2,273, unfortunately, this is low, though in some sought, it is encouraging .
    “So far, Cross Rivers is leading in the compliance list with 277 installation record; Enugu State is second with 227; Akwa/Ibom has 184; while Kogi has 172 and Lagos came fifth with 145,’’ the FRSC spokesman.
    Kazeem said the implementation process was categorised into 36 states and the FCT, and as at Oct.14, five states were leading in the compliance level.
    He said Cross Rivers, Enugu and Akwa/Ibom ,however, increased the number of states that had begun the implementation of the device order given by the FRSC.
    NAN recalls that Rivers and Kogi had last week begun the implementation and are leading other states in the compliance level.
    Kazeem said that the corps would continue to check and give warning tickets to commercial vehicles that defaulted as well as encourage them to do the right thing.
    He advised fleet operators that had installed the device already to calibrate it and upload it with the FRSC so as ensure full compliance .
    He also urged the unions to continue to support the scheme and comply with it fully before February 2017 when the corps would begin strict enforcement.
    “No going back on punishment of defaulters, so it is a clarion call to install to comply before before 2017, ’’ the FRSC spokesman said
  • Five killed, 15 injured in Salah Day accident

    Five killed, 15 injured in Salah Day accident

    At least five persons were Monday confirmed dead and 15 others injured in an accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    The accident occurred at about 4pm, at Ogunmakin, near the Total gas station between a Mazda bus marked KSF477XK and a Mitsubushi car with registration number MUS639DK.

    It was gathered that the accident caused serious traffic congestion on the expressway, as the vehicles involved were said to have blocked the road.

    The Nation gathered that four males and a female were among the deceased.

    It took the intervention of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials in Ogun to evacuate the vehicles and normalise traffic flow, The Nation also gathered.

    Confirming the accident, the FRSC Sector Commander said 20 people were involved in the mishap.

    He added that the injured were rushed to Ife-Oluwa Hospital and, Ibadan Centre Hospital.

    He attributed the cause of the accident to wrongful overtaking, urging drivers to exercise patience.

    “Divers are advised to be patient and avoid wrongful overtaking as they drive through construction areas,” he said.

  • FRSC to enlighten motorists on speed limiting device

    FRSC to enlighten motorists on speed limiting device

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it would organise stakeholders’ sensitisation campaign on the importance of Speed Limiting Device to motorists and other road users in Jigawa.

    The Spokesman of the FRSC Command in the state, Mr. Ado Adamu, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Dutse.

    Adamu said that a team of senior officers from the corps’ headquarters would conduct the exercise on Sept. 8 in Dutse.

    He explained that the team would be led by Mr. Ahmed Hassan, the Deputy Corps Marshal, Department of Special Duties and Partnership.

    “The Deputy Corps Marshal, Department of Special Duties and Partnership, FRSC national headquarters, will be leading a team of senior officers of the corps to Dutse.

    “The team will enlighten motorists and other road users on the importance of speed limiting device on Sept. 8.”

    The spokesman, therefore, urged the public and other relevant stakeholders like the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to attend.