The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

  • FRSC advises passengers to caution reckless drivers

    The Ogun Command of Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has advised passengers to always caution reckless drivers in order to reduce road crashes in the country.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele, gave the advice in an interview withour correspondent in Ota on Sunday.

    Oladele spoke against the backdrop of the accident that claimed 12 lives while five people sustained various degrees of injury at Fidiwo, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday.

    One of the victims died immediately after arriving at the hospital, making the number of deaths to 13.

    “The accident that led to a head on collision between Volvo Truck and Ford Transit Bus could have been averted if the passengers in the bus had cautioned the driver,” he said.

     He explained that the bus was earlier  flagged down for speeding by FRSC patrol team that noticed the speed of the vehicle,  but the driver ignored the flag-down order.

    The sector commander further said that the driver even abused the patrol team with the use of his hand.

    “Unfortunately, barely driving five minutes from the FRSC Patrol team that cautioned him for speeding, the bus  collided with the truck traveling from the opposite direction,” he said.

    Oladele, therefore, implored passengers to caution drivers with reckless driving habits and wrongful overtaking tendencies to the appropriate channels so as to safe lives and property.

    He also admonished motorists traveling on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor to continue to obey the no overtaking and maximum speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour at the construction site of the road.

    NAN

  • Why religious event caused traffic gridlock in Abuja – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has blamed the traffic gridlock caused by a recent religious event in Abuja on a last minute change in venue.

    Spokesman of the Corps, Mr Bisi Kazeem, told our correspondent that the change in venue disrupted the initial traffic management plans of the FRSC for the event.

    Between April 13 and 14, the Abuja city centre and environs were on lockdown by members of the Tijjaniya Islamic sect, who were celebrating Maulud Nabiyyi, the birth of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ).

    The event held at the National Mosque located in the Central Business District.

    The mammoth crowd of sect members, who came in their thousands from different parts of the country, spilled over to the Eagle Square about two kilometres from the Mosque.

    They set up camps on major roads and streets around the venue resulting in a traffic gridlock that left residents and motorists groaning.

    Kazeem said the leadership of the sect notified the FRSC ahead of time through a letter, and “adequate planning” was made to manage the situation.

    “The problem was that some of them came in the evening and at night, and they were many.

    “What actually disrupted the plan was that the event was initially planned for the National Stadium, and resources were deployed to make sure that the roads leading to the stadium were adequately covered.

    “But all of a sudden, when they were denied use of the stadium or something like that, they decided to trek to the Eagle Square.

    “This change in plan would need change in tactics and traffic control system arrangement, and this momentarily affected our initial plan,” he said.

    The FRSC spokesman said the Corps rose to the occasion by issuing traffic alerts and press releases to inform residents and motorists of the situation.

    Describing the situation as regrettable, Kazeem, however, said it was an eye opener for the FRSC to avert a re-occurrence.

    NAN

  • FRSC recovers 166 stolen cars at registration points in 5 years – Oyeyemi

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) says it has recovered over 166 stolen vehicles at registration points across the country between 2012 and 2017.

    Its Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said this in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Thursday in Abuja.

    The FRSC helmsman made this known when participants of the 2018 Senior Executive Course ( SEC ) No.40 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies ( NIPSS ) visited him.

    Oyeyemi said the recovery was made through the Corps’ National Vehicle Identification Scheme ( NVIS ) platform and information sharing with other security agencies.

    He said the FRSC’s place in internal security was mostly in the area of intelligence gathering, preparation of database on critical safety/security issues and sharing same with the security community.

    Describing the incidence of insecurity in several parts of the country as worrisome, the FRSC boss underscored the need for deeper cooperation among all security agencies.

    Speaking further on the organisational framework of the Corps, Oyeyemi explained how the agency had been able to utilise both human and operational facilities to improve on the nation’s security.

    Read Also: FRSC cautions dealers against selling fake spare parts

    “FRSC, in line with global best practices, domesticated the international framework which led to the development of the first of its kind National Framework on Road Safety.

    “It also domesticates National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), National Uniform Licencing scheme, Dash board Administration and Driving School Standardisation, among others to meet global best practices.

    “ All these are security programmes directed at ensuring the safety of lives and property,’’ he said.

    Oyeyemi explained that the States were responsible for the challenges encountered by Nigerians in the process of acquiring drivers licence.

    According to him, the FRSC is mainly saddled with the production of the licences as stated in the tripartite agreement and not dispatching or distribution to owners.

    The leader of the delegation, Prof. Celestine Bassey, said that the visit was part of a tour of strategic institutions in the country.

    Bassey said it also was part of the institute’s study on ‘Internal Security Management and Community Policing in Nigeria, a course approved by the Presidency for the set no.40 of 2018.

    NAN

  • FRSC cautions dealers against selling fake spare parts

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Anambra has advised motor spare parts dealers to desist from selling fake spare parts to motorists in order curtail road accidents.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Ajayi, gave the advice during a safety campaign tour at the New Spare Parts market in Nkpor, Idemili Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.

    Ajayi attributed usage of fake spare parts as factors responsible for most vehicular accidents.

    He advised the traders to always sell genuine parts.

    He said that the dealers were critical stakeholders in ensuring safety on the nation’s roads.

    The sector commander said that the agency would extend the campaign to other major stakeholders in the state to sensitise them to the need to key into the campaign.

    He said that if stakeholders could collaborate and check factors that caused road accidents, the country would be better for it.

    He appealed to leadership of the traders to key into the commission’s drive to flush out traders of fake spare parts in the state.

    The FRSC official also advised the participants on the need to adhere to safety rules and obey other necessary safety codes while driving.

    He urged vehicle owners to first attend driving school before driving, pointing out that most road accidents on the roads were caused by human beings and were avoidable.

    The Chairman of the Traders Union in the market, Chief Aloysius Ozokwelu, lauded the sector commander for the enlightenment campaign.

    NAN

  • Kwara: 5, 000 driver’s licences unclaimed, says FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Kwara Command, has said that more than 5, 000 driver’s licences were yet to be collected by their owners in the state.

    The FRSC Sector Commander, Sunday Z. Maku, made this disclosure in Ilorin on Wednesday in a press release he signed and made available to the News men.

    “The Federal Road Safety Corps, Kwara State Command during its last count of unclaimed printed driver’s licences at the Kwara State Internal Revenue Services, discovered more than 5, 000,” Maku said.

    The commander, therefore, called on applicants, who had applied for driver’s licence and whose temporary licence had expired to check for their licences at the Kwara State Internal Revenue office.

    Read Also: Robbery: Police arrest seven suspects in Kwara

    According to the commander, FRSC has cleared all the backlogs of unprinted licences before issuing the press release.

    “Applicants whose licences are among the printed ones are expected to collect the original within one week after the press release,” Maku added.

    The commander warned that after the expiration of the one week notice, expired temporary driver’s licences would no longer be accepted.

    NAN

  • Ondo FRSC cautions Motorists against recklessness.

     

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has advised passengers to caution drivers against reckless driving during the ongoing Easter festivities.

    The Deputy Sector Commander and Head of Operation, Olusegun Ogungbemide gave the advice while speaking with reporters in Akure, the state capital.

    Ogungbemide said that it had become imperative for FRSC to advise members of the public on the necessity of cautioning drivers against reckless driving in view of the spate of carnage on the road.

    He said that the command had always admonish and encourage passengers not to keep quiet in the face of reckless driving.

    His words “It is not just about drivers alone, members of public also have responsibilities as a passengers in any vehicle they are.

    “Passengers need to admonish drivers tactfully anytime they are going reckless without distracting them. It is their responsibilities to advise drivers to keep to safety rules.

    “Data available to us has confirmed that passengers are always  the victims anytime there is crashes while drivers, most of the time, escape unhurt.

    “That is why passengers should always be proactive anytime  they are in transit so as not  to allow their life to be wasted by any reckless drivers, especially, during this season.

    Ogungbemide, who said that command had sensitised various stakeholders in respect of up coming easter season, explained that FRSC had deployed men of the corps to critical areas of the state, especially highways, to ensure smooth easter season.

    According to him, the command has stationed emergency ambulances in most critical areas such as Akure, Owo and Ikare Akoko axis in case of crashes”

    He added that his men were working day and night to make sure that crashes do not happen and eventually if it happened, our men are expected to be there within 15 minutes to rescue the victims.

    According to him, the command has removed vehicles parked on obstructions on the highways.

  • FRSC to prosecute drivers without valid licence in Osun

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Osun Command, says it will start prosecuting drivers without valid driver’s licence and  expired licence on April 1.

    Mr Anthony Oko, the Sector Commander, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Osogbo.

    Oko said the command had created enough awareness on the need for drivers to procure genuine driver’s licence and not to drive without a valid licence.

    “Any driver caught driving without a licence is regarded as a monster and a killer.

    “A driver without a licence is even endangering the lives of people when they drive a vehicle, because to be a driver, you have to go to a driving school, where you are trained and issued a certificate.

    “Any driver that is driving without a licence and gets involved in an accident would be treated as a murderer,” he said

    The sector commander also stressed the importance of going to a certified driving school for a driver’s licence and a refresher course for old drivers.

    He cautioned drivers against obtaining fake driver’s licence, adding that fake driver’s licence was difficult to differentiate from the original.

    He said that any driver’s licence obtained without the applicant physically going to FRSC for capturing and Bio-metrics was fake.

    Oko advised drivers to visit FRSC website on www.frsc.gov.ng to verify the authenticity of their drivers licence or send a text “NDLEA status” space driver’s licence number to 33811.

    NAN

  • FRSC in Ogun takes safety campaign to schools

    FRSC in Ogun takes safety campaign to schools

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Ogun Sector Command, on Wednesday said it had taken its campaign to schools in the state to educate the pupils/students on safety issues.

    Mr Clement Oladele, the Ogun Sector Commander of FRSC, said that the measure was part of the command’s programmes to ensure safety on the roads in the future.

    Oladele said that the measure would also help to prepare the pupils/students early enough as the next generation of drivers in the country.

    He said that the FRSC would lay emphasis on youth education and truck safety in 2018 to reduce crashes on the country.

    “The FRSC has commenced preaching of safety across schools and organisimg programmes for truck drivers to ensure sanity and protection of lives and property on the highways,’’ he said.

    The sector commander said that some truck drivers drove recklessly on the highways and in most cases such drivers did not belong to unions.

    He, however, said that the FRSC had been in contact with truck owners to see how the challenge could be addressed.

    “We want to see how we can organise those drivers without a union to form one so that their excesses and tension created by them could be reduced.’’

    Oladele also noted that nobody could function effectively if the person were not properly trained.

    He said that the FRSC had certified members of staff that were competent to train truck drivers.

    NAN

  • FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    The Zamfara Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) said on Friday in Gusau that it was determined to reduce road crashes and road fatality this year.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Jones Malomo, told our reporter in an interview that the command would reduce crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

    Malomo said that part of the command’s 2018 strategic goal was to reduce road crashes, enhance professionalism and enforce rescue services.

    “Road safety is a professional job; so there is need for regular in-house training, seminars, and retreats as well as practical aspect of road traffic management,’’ he said.

    The sector commander also urged road users to get the new driver’s licences, adding that it was very important and useful in Nigeria and other countries.

    “The patronage of new driver’s licence is low and there are some drivers’ licences at the Board of Internal Revenue waiting to be collected by their owners.

    “The new driver’s licence entails going to driving school and undergoing a driving test at the VIO’s office and the licence is valid for between three and five years.

    He said that the validity period depended on the amount paid during registration, emphasising that a driver’s licence was an important document to any driver.

    NAN

  • Man convicted for driving with foreign license

    Man convicted for driving with foreign license

    The mobile court established by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State yesterday convicted a man for driving with a foreign driver’s licence.

    Magistrate Eze Nwabachiri gave Mr. Azuka Okoye the option of N7,000 fine or two months’ imprisonment

    But Okoye said he just visited the country with the hope of returning to his base, South Korea, in February.

    According to him, his license was still valid, and so he pleaded that he be allowed to use.

    But Magistrate Nwabachiri ruled that ordinary citizens were not allowed to use the license of other countries, unless there was a bilateral arrangement between the traffic agencies of the countries.

    According to him, those permitted to use foreign driving licences were diplomats, envoys and tourists.

    “You are hereby sentenced to a fine of N7,000 or two months’ imprisonment,” he said.

    The Anambra Sector Commander, Sunday Ajayi, said the mobile court was established to achieve the corp’ safer road objective.

    He added that the operation was in conjunction with the Anambra State government, which was worried with drivers’ recklessness.

    “The Mobile Court is part of activities we are undertaking to achieve our goals for 2018. There is no special time for obeying traffic laws, safety is an all time business and we will be having it from time to time.

    “During special operations like this, we look out for every offence, but we have special interest in high risk factors like lane violation, speeding, possession of fake/inappropriate license, use of phone, among others,” Ajayi said