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Tag: FRSC

  • FRSC boss proffers solution to Lagos gridlock

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has advised the Lagos State Government to redouble efforts on its inter-modal system of transportation, as a solution to the gridlock in the state.

    Oyeyemi spoke on Wednesday while delivering the first distinguished lecture of the School of Transport, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

    The theme of the lecture was ‘Transportation And Road Safety Management: Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria’.

    He said Lagos State was a good example of how the intermodal system of transportation could operate, as practised globally.

    According to him, the inter-modal system includes railway, inner waterways, pipeline, air transport system, among others.

    Oyeyemi said if the intra-modal system was effective, most Nigerians would not depend on road transportation but on the alternative system.

    He said the problem of the poor transportation system was as a result of infrastructure that could not match with the increasing population.

    “Continued growth in population, employment and trade have led to the placement of increasing demand on the road transportation system, challenging the efficiency of the road network.

    “Rising trend in morbidity and mortality rate due to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in low and middle-income countries has led the WHO to declare road traffic crashes an epidemic,” he said.

    According to him, the situation in Nigeria has been exacerbated by the near absence of alternative modes of transportation.

    Oyeyemi said an estimated 90 per cent of passengers and freight in Nigeria relied on the road network, with the attendant challenge of an increased number of RTCs.

    He explained that transportation is a major catalyst in the changing process of economic growth and development of any economy, as it plays a recognizable role in the various sectors of the economy.

    Read Also: Reimagining the chaotic splendour of Lagos traffic

    The Corps Marshal said development in the area of transportation constituted an important aspect of socio-economic development.

    According to him, road infrastructure, in particular, represents, if not the engine, the wheels of economic activities in most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive.

    Oyeyemi said in achieving the SDGs through Road Transport Safety Management, the FRSC was working with relevant partners on easing movement of farm produce across the nation’s road network.

    He said the Corps would also conduct a periodic Road Safety Audit and forward the outcome to the relevant authorities for amelioration.

    “While it is true that road transport administration, including regulation, is still not satisfactory, the Corps is not resting on its oars, but constantly searching for solutions to all contemporary issues in road transport in Nigeria, particularly on safer road use,” Oyeyemi said.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Femi Hamzat urged Nigerians to change their attitude to government infrastructure and work toward maintaining them for their benefit.

    Represented by Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary Dr Taiwo Salam, Hamzat said the current situation of poor traffic regulation in Lagos State was so because the past administration tried its best in terms of infrastructure, but did not do much of enforcement.

    LASU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun lauded the calibre of personalities at the event and described the lecture as insightful.

    Fagbohun promised that the university would do a follow-up on the recommendations and outcome of the lecture, and carry all stakeholders along.

  • Driver licence clamp down

    The announcement of a two- week clamp down on drivers without or with fake driver licence by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Lagos State is commendable. There are some issues I however want to pinpoint to prevent the clampdown from becoming another jamboree exercise in futility.

    The exercise should not be just a two – week exercise but continuous. The exercise should not be restricted to federal roads but all roads. The exercise should not be for drivers alone but should also cover riders of motorcycles and tricycles. A multi-sectoral and holistic approach should be employed to achieve significant results.

    While it is good to check whether drivers and riders are holding genuine licence, it is more important to ask if the drivers or riders actually earned the licence or they were awarded. As the National President of Driving School Association of Nigeria (DSAN), I can authoritatively say here that over 70 per cent of the current holders of driver licence in Nigeria did not undergo the requisite theory and practical training in accredited driving schools.  Most of them till this moment do not know the traffic signs not to talk of defensive driving techniques and deeper issues about driving. So many licensed killers are currently operating on Nigeria roads.

    Read Also: FRSC to begin clampdown on tricycles, motorcycles without number plates

    In the same vein, over 80 per cent of the holders of driver licence have not had any form of refresher training to upgrade their knowledge and skills about driving despite the dynamism in vehicle technology, health/energy level   and road traffic regulations. The updated version of the National Road Traffic Regulations was released in 2018. Based on my research, over 90 per cent of drivers and riders are not yet aware of these changes in the traffic regulations and traffic offences.

    While enforcing a clampdown on drivers without licence, the process for obtaining the driver licence should of necessity be looked into as well. Every month in Nigeria, thousands of untrained and half – baked drivers still get their driver licences with ease without any formal or informal training. The process of  obtaining driver licence today  is very porous and fraught with lots of compromise and corruption. This needs to be effectively addressed. If the FRSC and other traffic management agencies truly want to address the root cause of road accidents, it is very expedient they also address the other issues. I raised in this article to get the desired results.

  • Lafarge Africa partner FRSC, Lagos to sensitise motorists

    To commemorate the 2019 Lafarge Global Health and Safety Days and as part of its Sustainability strategy 2030, Lafarge Africa, in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services and Rotary Club of Lagos, has delivered a health and safety sensitization programme for motorists.

    Lafarge Africa and FRSC urged motorists in Nigeria to ensure that they are aware of health and safety procedures as this would further reduce road accidents, even as the current data from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) show a marginal decline in the number of road accidents in the country.

    The Head of Safety, Health and Environment for Lafarge Africa, Mrs. Folake Odegbami alluded to this at the joint health and safety campaign programme held recently for members of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW) at Ojota Motor Park in Lagos state. Odegbami stated that Lafarge’s commitment to Health and Safety informed the company’s decision to collaborate with critical organizations focused on improved safety across the country.

    According to the January 2019 Road Traffic Crash (RTC) Report by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a total of 540 fatalities occurred, while 3,383 were injured following 950 road traffic incidents across Nigeria in January 2019.

     

     

  • Two FRSC marshals abducted

    Two regular marshals of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun State were abducted by gunmen at Erin-Ijesa area of Akure/Ilesa highway on Monday.

    Investigation revealed that the victims simply identified as Abioye and Bayewuni were travelling late in the afternoon on the road when the armed bandits intercepted their vehicles.

    However, the details of the incident were sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

    It was also gathered less than one hour that the two officers were kidnapped, their mobile phones could not be reached as the lines had been switched off.

    REad also: ECWA Pastor, daughter, 15 others kidnapped in Kaduna

    Osun State Police Command confirmed the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Folasade Odoro, in a telephone interview, said a police team was on the trail of the bandits, assuring that the victims would be rescued.

    But Osun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Peter Oke, could not be reached for comment on the incident.

     He did not pick several calls put across to him.

  • Road crashes decline in Imo, says FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Imo says road accidents in the state have been on the decline in recent times due to the strict enforcement of traffic rules by the command.

    Mr Evarustus Ebeniro, the Head of Operations of the corps in the state, said this on Sunday during a thanksgiving mass held at St. Mulumba Catholic Church, Owerri to mark the end of the fifth “United Nations Global Road Safety Week”.

    Although, Ebeniro did not give details, he said that “recent statistics showed that accident rate is on the decrease in Imo.”

    He charged motorists to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules, adding that the corps had initiated a new roadmap designed to mitigate road crashes.

    He said the thanksgiving mass and the sensitisation roadwalk by the command was part of its activities for the week-long celebration.

    Ebeniro said to the congregation: “We are celebrating a global road safety week and we are using this opportunity to educate motorists on the dangers of driving against traffic rules.

    “The essence of continuous sensitization is to work on the orientation of drivers and I assure you that this command is out to do the job.”

    He listed human factor as the major cause of read accidents and admonished motorists to guide against speed, drunk driving and over loading.

    He charged motorists to install the speed limiting device in their vehicles for their safety and that of their passengers.

    He warned that the command would go after defaulters, adding that those arrested would be made to pay appropriate sanctions. (NAN)

  • Road accidents don’t allow victims to make wills, says FRSC

    The Ondo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Rotimi Adeleye, has urged motorists to always embrace safety on the road to avoid crashes.

    He advised them to obey traffic rules and regulations while driving.

    The sector commander said many Nigerian motorists ignored traffic rules, which lead to road accidents, adding that many road crashes were avoidable, if the motorists strictly obeyed the traffic laws.

    Adeleye spoke yesterday during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure, the state capital.

    Represented by the Head of Operation of the command, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, the sector commander reiterated that road crashes kill faster than cancer, the Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and other deadly diseases.

    The FRSC chief stressed that motorists should always be mindful of traffic rules whenever they are on the road.

    He said: “Out of 150 vehicles that move on the roads in Nigeria, 15 of them get involved in avoidable road accidents. Road accidents can kill suddenly in a crash, unlike disease, which can allow the victims to prepare and arrange his will.

    “That is why we are calling on our motorists to always obey traffic rules whenever they are driving. Unfortunately, many people take the traffic rules for granted. Some would be driving without putting on the seat belts; some would be making phone calls while driving and when we stop them, they would claim to be this and that in the society.

    “The FRSC is not about death; it is about rescue. When you call on us with the 122 toll free line from anywhere in the country, our men, who are nearer the accident scene, will be there.”

    Adeleye, who said the FRSC was doing everything possible to enforce discipline among its men, advised motorists to report any officer who misbehaves on the road to the command for necessary action.

    NUJ’s State Chairman Adetona Aderoboye said there was a need for the FRSC to collaborate with the media in its campaign against speeding, over-loading, reckless driving and other traffic offences.

     

  • FRSC seeks cooperation on blocked section of expressway

    The Ogun Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to cooperate with traffic agencies to ease the gridlock in Iyana-Ilogbo area.

    Its Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele, yesterday said the advice became necessary to ensure quick removal of a container that fell, blocking some portions of the road and causing slow movement of vehicles in the area.

    “Motorists are advised to drive cautiously and cooperate with traffic managers to ensure speedy removal of the obstruction to restore the free flow of traffic,” he said.

    He said that efforts were ongoing by FRSC and other sister agencies for the prompt removal of the container and managing traffic situation in the area.

    Oladele also said Julius Berger of Nigeria had opened for temporary use, a section of the corridor earlier barricaded around Iyana Ilogbo to ease traffic for motorists.

  • FRSC warns tricyclists, motorcyclists, others

    The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Hyginus Omeje, has warned commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists to desist from driving against  traffic.

    He said those caught would be made to undergo psychiatric test and their motorcycles and tricycles seized.

    Omeje spoke yesterday at a sensitisation programme organised for riders’ and passengers’ safety in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), in conjunction with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the council.

    Omeje, represented by Route Commander Ofure Ihenacho, said road users had a right of way and urged them to use the highway responsibly.

    Omeje, who described riders as exposed road users, enjoined them to ensure that they are properly kitted anytime they are on the road.

    The council Chairman,  Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, urged riders to have a change of attitude and see their job as critical to other road users.

    Oke, represented by the council  Secretary, Ayo Jeje, said the programme was organised to sensitise riders to what they must do to stay alive, adding that since most riders are bread winners, they must know what to do to promote their safety.

    The Local Government Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Ngozi Mbaeri, advised riders to be responsible citizens to prevent crashes.

    A psychiatrist, Mrs. Olajumoke Koyejo, urged riders to reduce dependence on psychotropic and mind altering drugs, which were often responsible for accidents.

     

  • Court remands three men for allegedly setting Ibadan FRSC office on fire

    An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Ibadan yesterday ordered that three men , who allegedly set the Federal Road Safety Corps ,(FRSC) office at Moniya on fire be remanded in prison.

    The police charged Sherif Taofeek, 33; Abdullahi Afeez, 32, and Oni Ibrahim, 22, of undisclosed address with conspiracy , stealing , arson, assault, and receiving stolen motorcycle.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Emmanuel Idowu who did not take the plea of the defendants, ordered that the three be remanded in Agodi Prison, pending legal advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

    However, another defendant, Segun Emmanuel,  who was arraigned alongside the three defendants for allegedly receiving stolen unregistered Bajaj motorcycle, was admitted to bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum. Idowu, thereafter, adjourned the case till May 28, for mention.

    The Police Counsel, ASP Adewale Amos, told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired and committed the offence of arson.

    Amos said that the defendants and others at large, allegedly set fire to the FRSC office at Moniya, Ibadan, valued N100 million.

    He alleged that the defendants also stole seven motorcycles valued at N1. 5 million.

    Amos said the defendants also assaulted some FRSC officials by beating  them with stick while performing their lawful duties.

    He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections, 252, 383, 427, 443 and 516, and punishable under sections 356, 390 of the Criminal Code of Oyo state 2000.

  • FRSC to establish 12 new unit commands across Nigeria – Oyeyemi

    Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says the corps will soon establish 12 new unit commands across the federation to enhance the coverage of the nation’s over 200,000-kilometre road network.

    Oyeyemi said this on Tuesday, while inaugurating the corps’ new office complex in Abakaliki and an access road to the structure built by the state government.

    He also said that the corps would establish 10 outposts along the country’s major corridors.

    He said that the ongoing expansion necessitated the establishment of permanent office accommodations across the country for improved operations of the organisation.

    Oyeyemi said: “The new office complex for Ebonyi sector command brings to eight the number of structures designed, constructed and inaugurated under my watch in different parts of the country.

    “FRSC sector command offices so far completed under this arrangement include: Ekiti, Ibadan, Lokoja, Ilorin, Kano, Gusau and Osogbo.

    “The offices in Asaba, Uyo and Gombe are at various stages of completion.”

    The FRSC boss further said that 12 zonal commands, three number plate production plants, among others, were already housed in befitting permanent FRSC structures.

    He commended the governments of the states where permanent structures had been erected, saying that the projects could not have been accomplished without their efforts.

    “I profoundly thank Gov. Dave Umahi for approving the expansion of the land originally allocated for the Ebonyi office from two to six plots to accommodate the complex and its appurtenances,” he said.

    Also, Mr Bukhari Bello, the Chairman of the FRSC board, thanked the governor for constructing the access road leading to the complex and being supportive to FRSC in the state.

    “Two months ago, FRSC received two brand new Nissan Pick-up vehicles donated by the government to beef up its operations, in addition to the empowerment scheme, which the spouses of FRSC personnel benefited from.

    “The sustained support and cooperation of Ebonyi government towards building sustainable framework for national road safety in Nigeria is evidenced in its commitment to the National Uniform License Scheme (NULS) success,” Bello said.

    In his remarks, Umahi described the quality and finishing of the building as of high standard, “fit to be in Ebonyi.”

    He urged the citizens to handle public property carefully.

    He said that citizens had the right to stop projects that were being poorly constructed in the state, no matter the tier of government responsible for it.

    “I and other citizens of the state can stop the construction of local, state or Federal Government-owned projects that are badly executed.

    “The money expended on these projects is ours,” the governor said.

    Mrs Stella Uchegbu, the Ebonyi Sector Commander of the corps, expressed delight at the inauguration of the complex, saying that the new structure would boost the workers morale in the discharge of their duties. (NAN)