The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Road Safety Commission

  • Nine die in Osun auto crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun on Tuesday said nine persons died in various road accidents in the state in January.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Peter Oke, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo that the accidents were caused by speeding, wrongful overtaking and carelessness of drivers.

    “The total number of road traffic accidents for the month of January was 22 leading to the death of nine persons,” he said.

    Read Also: Osinbajo enjoys God’s grace, says Osun monarch

    Oke noted that 2151 road traffic offenders were apprehended, out of which 218 were educated and cautioned on the sensitivity of road driving during the period under review.

    The sector commander further said that no fewer than 1403 persons were issued with driver’s licence in the month under review.

    He added that the command executed 12 radio and eight television programmes to educate and enlighten the public on the dangers associated with dangerous driving.

    Oke warned motorists to always obey traffic regulations, noting that the command would not spare any person caught flouting the law.

  • Three die in Ondo road crash

    Three persons are reportedly feared dead in a ghastly auto crash in Olokuta area along Ondo-Akure road in Ondo state.

    The incident which occurred around 8.00 am on Wednesday morning involved a black Toyota marked FGB 940 AA and a blue truck numbered LND 274 XP.

    They were said to have had a head-on collision.

    Sources hinted that the incident was caused by overtaking on the driver side.

    It was learnt that the early morning fog, which covered the cloud might have also aided the inability of the driver to see the incoming vehicles.

    Read Also: One dead, 10 injured in Ondo road crash

    Victims were said to include a woman and a boy suspected to be family, while the driver of the ill-fated truck dashed into the bush.

    Neighbours and motorists were said to have assisted in pulling the vehicle back to see if there were still victims that could be saved.

    However, they were all found dead.

    Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission were struggling to clear the wreckage of the vehicle from the scene of the carnage.

  • FRSC records 29 auto crashes in Ondo

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Wednesday in Akure said it had recorded 29 road crashes from a special patrol that started in Ondo State on Dec. 15.

    Assistant Corps Marshal Godwin Ogagaoghene, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Ondo, Osun and Oyo States,  disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State in his office.

    He explained that the special patrol, which would end on Jan. 15, had already recorded eight fatal accidents, 19 serious accidents and two minor ones, totalling 29 crashes.

    “We normally have an end of the year patrol to see that traffic and crashes on our roads are reduced.

    “Ondo State happens to cover a very strategic portion of the country, hence proactive actions were taken and we have seen a lot of differences between now and the previous years.

    “For the special patrol, the Corps Marshal established two parts with over 600 staff divided into different areas to monitor.

    “This is a far better result than what we had in the previous year, but the patrol is still on and we can’t give you the analysis of the percentage of our success over the previous years,” he said

    Responding, the governor appreciated the efforts of the FRSC  which he said greatly helped to reduce road crashes during the festive period.

    “Your activities made this possible, and I am happy that crashes have reduced. Thank you for your efforts.

    “I am sure that people travelling during that period appreciated you.

    “We have all these bad roads and driving habits because our people are so impatient. The work you are doing is appreciated,” he said. (NAN)

  • 18 die in Osun auto crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun on Wednesday said 18 persons died in various road accidents in December 2018.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Peter Oke, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo that the accidents were caused by over speeding, wrongful overtaking and carelessness of many drivers.

    ‘‘ The total numbers of Road Traffic Accidents for the month of December 2018 was 28 which led to the death of 18 persons.

    ‘‘The remaining 10 persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the accidents within the state,’’ he said.

    He also stated that 773 road traffic offenders were apprehended while 268 were educated and cautioned on the sensitivity of road driving.

    Read Also: NSCDC recovers N31.5m debts in Jigawa in 2018

    The sector commander further said that no fewer than 906 persons were issued with driver’s licence in the month under review.

    He added that the command executed 12 radio and eight television programmes to educate and enlighten the public on the dangers associated with dangerous driving.

    Oke urged motorists to desist from defying road traffic regulations, adding that the command would not spare any person caught flouting the law.

  • Commuters bemoan disrepair of Owerrenta Bridge

    Commuters on the Aba-Owerri Expressway have raised the alarm over the disrepair of the famous Owerrenta Bridge. The bridge connects Imo and Abia states.

    Some of the road users and drivers, who spoke to our reporter on the fate of the 50-year-old bridge, said the Federal Ministry of Works should carry out major repairs on the facility following recent vibrations noticed on it.

    The respondents lamented that the bridge had not been maintained for over 30 years, adding that if nothing urgent was done to address the vibrations it might collapse into the Imo River.

    The commuters also called on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Owerrenta Naval School of Finance and Logistics to consider relocating their personnel out of the bridge which they use as a checkpoint.

    Mr. Frank Okpe said, “The Owerrenta Bridge was built immediately after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil war and since that time, I can’t remember the time we saw any person or engineers working on this bridge. This bridge is as important to us in the East and Aba in particular as other bridges in the country are to their respective states and areas. The number of vehicles crossing this bridge to bring in goods from other parts of the country to Aba is uncountable.

    “It calls for frequent repairs on the bridge because if the bridge collapses, all the trucks moving in goods from Onitsha and Lagos will no longer be able to bring in goods into Aba. And some of the people from Owerri and other parts of the country who go to Aba to buy one or two items may not be able to do so.

    “The economic importance of this bridge to the southeast cannot be overemphasised and it must be addressed urgently by the respective ministry and authority.”

    Another regular road of Owerri-Aba Expressway simply identified as Madu Ofor said “FRSC and Navy people should tell their people to relocate out of the bridge. Stopping and searching cars on the bridge in its present state is not the best. We are sounding this note of warning before something dangerous happens and government shouldn’t allow the blood of its citizens to be spilled on the bridge before something urgent would be done.

    “We are only asking them to come and carry thorough assessment on the bridge and repair the places that should be repaired. We are not asking them to come and build a fresh one. Carrying out routine maintenance on the bridge is not only cheap, but will also save the lives of innocent and hardworking citizens from being wasted when it can be secured.

    “This is festive period where so many goods and services have started coming into the city of Aba and many people visiting the state for one economic activity or the other. The Owerrenta Bridge is as important to us as other roads in the Southeast are to other Southeast states, but I think that priority should be accorded to the bridge because of its economic importance to the people of the zone.”

  • FRSC step up ‘ember- months’ campaigns in Katsina

    The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has stepped up –up its ‘’ember months’ campaign activities aimed at checkmating reckless driving by motorists and reducing road accidents and road traffic incidents in Katsina state, as the year gradually draws to an end

    The Route Commander and Public Relations Officer of the Katsina state command of the agency, Abdullahi D. Ibrahim told The Nation, in an exclusive interview in his office in Katsina on Saturday, that the ‘ember months’ (September to December), have always remained tasking to the agency due to increased road usage by people and motorists moving from one part of the country to the other, as well as other haulage activities

    He said “During this period there are a lot of issues on ground, and we are expected to meet up with attendant challenges ,such as enforcing the rules on motoring such as ensuring compliance on no use of mobile phones while driving, conducting special patrols on roads to checkmate accidents’’

    ‘’We are currently on public enlightenment campaigns to sensitize the public, on over speeding, use of phones while driving and other traffic offences. We have already visited 5 media house in the last two weeks to intensify enlightenment and awareness campaign’’

    Read Also: Road crashes claim 32 lives in Edo – FRSC

    The Route Commander also frowned at overloading of vehicles by drivers especially those plying along Katsina- Daura and Katsina –Dutsinma roads in the state, who usually carry passengers even in the boots of their vehicles, urging the passengers to shun the urge to be packed like goods simply because of a reduced fare.

    He said “We are leveraging on the various safety campaigns we have embarked upon to sensitize especially the Road transport Workers union, on the dangers of overloading

    He described the report on road accidents in the state in the outgoing year as fair compared to similar statistics obtained on road performance last year

    Mr Ibrahim also acknowledged the rising cases of absenteeism by staff of the agency and warned that the Command’s Provost Marshal is out to discipline erring staff members and that actions have been lined up against those who break the rules.

  • Doomed to road slaughter?

    From a National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stats just released, quoting Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) figures, two potent combinations have accounted for deaths, from auto crashes, on Nigerian roads: over-speeding (and other shades of reckless driving) and bad roads.

    Apart from 2014 when it dipped to 4, 430 deaths, fatalities for the past five years have clustered above the 5, 000 mark: 2013: 5, 539; 2014: 4, 430; 2015: 5, 400; 2016: 5, 053; 2017: 5, 049.  Though no one could accuse FRSC of inactivity, it is clear, from these figures, its efforts are not achieving fantastic results.

    Many road users, a good number of them road outlaws that endanger the lives of other law abiding citizens, still appear yoked to their dangerous pastimes.  Something drastic must be done to rein in their menace.

    The FRSC must therefore not only ramp up its enlightenment blitz on road safety, it must also hit hard at road outlaws, who now put other road users in jeopardy, just because they have been lulled into the illusion that no punishment ever comes their way.

    To be fair, however, FRSC has made a lot of progress, as road transport regulators.  Only on September 11, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, FRSC corps marshal, while addressing driving school owners in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, railed at some unprofessional practices in driving schools, while indicting 71 of such schools, aside from numerous others still being investigated for alleged professional misconduct.

    Such alleged misconducts include schools enrolling trainee-drivers above the schools’ training capacity, graduating drivers with absolutely no training or with training less than the law-mandated 26 hours of driving drill, allegedly hacking into the Driving School Standardizing Programme (DSSP) and conniving, if the cash is right, to circumvent driver-testing, as a core and integrated regimen, of driver licensing.

    But away from sanctions and investigations, FRSC is weighing in with some regulatory best practices: standardization of operational procedures in driving schools, formal driver training with standard curriculum and a reliable database, of registered and accredited standard curriculum. It is also looking into routinizing computer-based testing of drivers, which however is subject to available investment capital.

    These are laudable moves, for sane driving is clearly the genesis of road safety.  So, FRSC should move fast to solidify these reforms, without letting off on punishment for rogue operators.

    But it must also start dealing with sundry defaulters, in vehicle road-worthiness.  Nigerian roads have become a vast dump of broken down articulated trucks, many of them with heavy containers, in the most awkward hour, and clumsiest part of the road.  FRSC should move fast to remove this umpteenth nuisance.  If it did, it would have removed a major trigger of auto crashes and allied road accidents, many of them fatal.

    It must also, in close collaboration with Federal and state governments, bring back road sign culture.  It is scandalous, to say the least, that you could drive on many Nigerian highways without any signage, whether on boards or small roadside pillars,  stipulating the maximum speed limit.  Yet, over-speeding is one of the major causes of road crashes.

    Aside from pouring more resources into fix roads nationwide, the Federal Government should also invest more in FRSC materiel, particularly heavy duty vehicles and cranes it always needs to clear the road, after any major crash.  That way, its operational efficiency would be boosted.

    Nigeria can’t afford to continue losing more that 5, 000 souls on the road every year.  The modern car is configured with safety as its core essence.  Therefore, this slaughter on the roads is wanton and should be stopped.  If it is not, FRSC would have failed in its core mandate.

     

  • Optimal productivity: Edo FRSC holds retreat for personnel

    Toward achieving optimal productivity among its personnel, the Edo Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Thursday in Benin organised a retreat.

    Mr Anthony Oko, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, said that the retreat was aimed at changing the psyche of personnel toward the job.

    Oko said that on assumption of office a month ago, he observed that the morale of staff of both the command and component units was low.

    “In view of this, we decided to re-strategise through retreat as well as look inward and tell ourselves some truth toward rejuvenating our output and optimal productivity.

    “We will also look at issues of attitudinal change, because to be honest with ourselves, the attitude of some members of  staff in the course of their duties is nothing to write home about,’’  he  said.

    He said that the current environment was much more challenging than it was years back, adding that there was the need to evolve new strategies and adapt forcibly without negative consequences.

    “We can only achieve this for optimal productivity among staff through Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely (SMART) approach.

    “This also means we all have to be disciplined, focused, purposeful and pragmatic,’’ Oko said.

    The sector commander said that the theme of the retreat, “Toward Enhancing Competitiveness in a Challenging Environment: The Role of Staff in achieving Optimal Productivity’’ was apt.

    The Zonal Commanding Officer  in Charge of Zone RS 5  comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra, Mr Kehinde Adeleye, said the third  quarter was a wake-up call for staff to go back to the drawing board to reassess  their achievements and challenges.

    He said the time and essence of retreat could therefore not be over emphasised.

    Adeleye urged all participants to make the best use of the retreat.

     

  • Road accidents claim 60 in Ogun within 2 months

    The Federal Road Safety Commission  (FRSC) in Ogun said on Thursday that 60 persons died while  several others were  injured in various auto crashes in  the state between January and February.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Clement Oladele, made the disclosure in an interview with our reporter in Abeokuta.

    Oladele stated that 74 crashes were recorded in the state during the period, adding that 340 persons were injured in the incidents.

    The sector commander said that 33 persons lost their lives in January road traffic crashes while 27 died in February.

    ” A total of 112 persons were injured in the various accidents in January while 128 were injured in February,” he added.

    According to the sector commander, a greater percentage of the accidents were due to loss of control, wrongful overtaking, excessive speed  and usage of mobile phones.

    He urged motorists to obey stipulated traffic rules and regulations as well as refrain from  over speeding  and wrongful overtaking.

    “When overtaking, ask yourself this question: Is it safe?

    “Also important, motorists should always observe caution signs at any construction site,  ” he said.

    He added that the FRSC was doing its best to ensure that it reduces rate of crashes to the barest minimum.

    Oladele also pledged that the commission would continue to intensify efforts  at sensitizing motorists  on safe driving and the  risks associated with not  obeying traffic rules and regulations.

    NAN

     

  • Reps urge FG to procure arms for FRSC

    Reps urge FG to procure arms for FRSC

    Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday said that in a bid to effectively carry out their responsibilities of saving lives, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) should bear arms.

    The Green Chamber noted the increasing cases of violent attacks, harassment and intimidation of personnel and offices of the FRSC by highly placed individuals, motorists and hoodlums across the country, particularly in Zamfara, Jigawa, Abia and the Lagos States.

    The members noted that from 2015 to date, there have been 149 cases of attacks on personnel and 201 cases of damage to properties and equipment of the Commission.

    They, therefore, urged the Federal Government to facilitate the procurement of arms and ammunition for officers of the FRSC.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion by Hon. Solomon Maren titled: “Need to Curb Incessant Attacks on Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)”.

    Maren while moving the motion noted that despite Section 19 of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007 which stipulates that personnel of the Commission who are exposed to high risk in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, shall have same powers, authorities and privileges, including power to bear arms, as are granted by law to members of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Government has not provided Road Safety officers with arms to enable them protect themselves in the course of performing their duties.

    He expressed concern that the United Nation’s Declaration on Reduction of Road Accidents by fifty (50) percent by year 2020 may not be achieved by Nigeria if the attacks are not urgently curbed.

    The lawmaker said in order to avoid the attacks, Road Safety officers stay off the roads, particularly at night and that motorists are taking advantage of the situation to breach traffic regulations, which often lead to accidents.

    “Officers sometimes discover offensive weapons in vehicles during routine operations on highways but are incapable of challenging occupants of such vehicles as they lack the capacity to protect themselves from any attack that could arise,” he said.

    When he Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a vote on the motion, it was passed without dissent.

    The House subsequently mandated the Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission to investigate cases of attacks on personnel of the FRSC and also ensure implementation of the resolution to armed the officials.

    The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.