The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FRSC

  • FRSC laments 2,147 unclaimed drivers’ licences  

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bayelsa State Command, yesterday complained that 2,147 drivers’ licences were left unclaimed.

    Sector Commander Mr. Ikechukwu Igwe urged the owners to collect them before expiration.

    Speaking in Yenagoa at the West Africa Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) Day, Igwe said his command had sent 2,147 text messages to the owners with monthly reminders to pick up their licences.

    He lamented that despite the command’s efforts, people did not come to collect their licences.

    Igwe said to reduce the number of unclaimed licences, the command began patrols to check licences.

    He said: “It is on record that people have not been coming for their drivers’ licences. We have 2,147 unclaimed licences. People keep saying they have paid, but yet to collect their licences. The licences are there.

    “We have sent text messages to them. We have sent 2,147 text messages to people. We have been sending reminders, but people are not coming to collect their licences. That was why we began regular checking of licences.

    “We appeal to the people to collect their licences. Once you collect them and you are in doubt, you can check the state of your licences online. People should claim these licences before they expire.”

    The commander said the new process of collecting licences made it impossible to be issued with fake drivers’ licences.

    “Anybody who obtains a fake licence wants to obtain a fake one. The process is very clear. If you want a licence, go to the centre for physical capture. If you are not captured by our men at the specified place, you are obtaining a fake licence.

    “If you give somebody a passport photograph to procure a licence for you, it is a fake licence. Anybody that gives you a licence without passing through this process is giving you a fake licence,” he said.

    Igwe warned motorists against the use of old number plates, saying it posed danger to their vehicles, especially when stolen.

    He advised them to embrace the new number plate regime, which allows vehicle data to be captured by the corps and facilitates recovery of stolen vehicles.

    The commander appealed to motorists to maintain their vehicles in preparation for the rainy season.

    Addressing motorists at Ekeki Park, Head of Operations Mr. Anume Osuampa said drivers without genuine licences had no business on the road.

    He said they should ensure maintenance of their vehicles and stressed the importance of good tyres for safety.

    Osuampa advised them not to use phones while driving, adding that they should use seat belts for protection.

  • FRSC to arrest vehicles with unauthorised number plates

    Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Command, is to arrest vehicles with unauthorised number plates and prosecute their owners.

    Sector Commander Mr. Clement Oladele gave the warning in a statement in Abeokuta.

    He said FRSC had noticed indiscriminate use of unauthorised number plates and vehicles without number plates.

    Oladele said the act violated traffic regulations and hampered national security.

    He said the corps would arrest motorists with photocopies of drivers’ licences.

    “We have directed patrol teams to apprehend vehicles with unauthorised number plates. The owner will be prosecuted pursuant to sections 10 (2) (d) and 10 (4) (F) of FRSC Establishment Act 2007.

    “FRSC in Ogun is intensifying the arrest of vehicles with photocopied drivers’ licences and vehicles without appropriate number plates,’’ the commander said.

    He urged politicians to get their campaign vehicles properly licensed and driven in line with extant traffic regulations.

    Oladele advised motorists to adhere to FRSC’s rules and regulations.

  • 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.

    The Nation reports that 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.

  • FRSC seeks fire service unit on highway

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is seeking the establishment of a Fire Service Unit on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway to attend to risks and damage arising from petrol tankers in case of crashes.

    The Ogere Unit Commander, Assistant Corps Commander Maxwell Lede, said attention should be given to the fear, risk and damage incurred from fallen petroleum tankers.

    Lede, who noted that lack of a fire unit on that corridor is a major challenge facing FRSC rescue operations, said the nearest Fire Service Station is in Sagamu, besides Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    He spoke when he led his team to visit the Aleperu of Iperu Akesan, Oba Adeleke Adelekan Basibo Apekun J’oye.

    “Having another fire office around the tollgate, with the view of improving response time to emergencies would have positive impact on service delivery,” he added.

    Lede said the visit was in line with FRSC’s 2018 Corporate Strategic Goals on ease of doing business and stakeholders’ cooperation, requiring regular town hall meetings and intensive enlightenment.

    According to him, the FRSC will create a safe environment, through enlightenment, improved response time to emergency, and enforcement of critical rules.

    Oba Basibo lauded FRSC for stabilising traffic, especially at the tollgate, and blessed Lede for his peaceful operations.

    The monarch pledged the support of his palace towards the continuity of safer roads.

  • Ekiti Govt to provide CCTV cameras on major roads – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has called on the Ekiti government to install CCTV Cameras in major areas of Ado-Ekiti, to stem social vices in the state capital.

    The FRSC Sector Commander (RS 8.2), Mr Ismaila Kugu, made the call in an interview with our reporter in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

    He said: “I want to appeal to the State Government to urgently respond to the immediate call for the installation of CCTV Cameras now, to help curb the activities of criminals, especially under the newly-built Fajuyi overhead bridge’’.

    According to him, his command has increased its links with media organisations to intensify sensitisation and create more awareness on traffic rules.

    Speaking on the newly-installed traffic lights, the sector commander charged motorists and pedestrians to acquaint themselves with the use of the traffic lights.

    “I don’t think the issue of the traffic light is new. It’s just the bridge that is new, I want to tell the public that traffic lights are always delaying traffic but it is a measure of trying to control traffic coming from different angles so that they can direct themselves to different directions.

    “It slows down movement and it that is because there is danger at the junction, so, for any other road user, they are expected to slow down at every junction, most especially where we have traffic lights and even where we don’t have traffic lights, at every roundabout, that is the first step.’’

    “The second step is to observe the flow of the lights; whether it is Red, Yellow or Green. Red means that you have to stop; Yellow means to be ready either to move or to stop, while the Green tells us to move.’’

    “And even for the Green light, you can’t just move when some people are still stopping you or still crossing, you are only to go when the road is clear and safe for you as a user to move or use.’’

    “The public and the road users are also advised to strictly follow the sequence of the lights and obey it regularly, for their own good.’’

    He noted that the misuse of traffic lights was more pronounced and prominent with the motorcyclists because they are mostly always in a hurry to beat the traffic lights at every junction.

    Kugu said that the delay experienced at every junction is created so as to avoid conflicts.

    “Some of our Officers have been there several times and several arrests have been made. We can’t be there permanently for so many reasons.

    On the rate of the road accidents, he said that statistics from Ekiti State have been very low, compared to other states across the country.

    The FRSC sector commander said the commission was ready to partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of successful, hitch-free and accident-free elections in the state in 2019.

    NAN

     

  • FRSC confirms ten dead in Zamfara auto-crash

     

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Zamfara has confirmed the death of ten 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 ten 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

  • LG pays WAEC fees for 200 indigent students in Enugu

    The Igbo Etiti Local Government Council in Enugu State has paid the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for 200 indigenous students in the area this year.

    The council Chairman, Mr Malachy Agbo, disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Thursday in Enugu.

    Agbo said the council did not discriminate along political party lines in the payment.

    He said that all students, irrespective of their background, would benefit from the educational provision as a means of making them feel the benevolence of government.

    According to him, the gesture was aimed at carrying everybody along and to make them feel part of the day to day governance of the local government.

    He explained that the council took the roll-calls of all the students in senior secondary three (SS3) classes, who are indigenes of Igbo Etiti.

    “We register them free of charge for the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    “We did not consider whether you are from the less-privileged or not,’’ Agbo said.

    He also promised that the council would provide desks in all the primary schools in the area to encourage reading and learning among pupils.

    Agbo explained that the council was running an inclusive government.

    “The old, the new and the adult have a say in what is happening in the council area.’’

    The chairman said all stakeholders and traditional rulers were also being involved to contribute their quota in projects implementation.

    According to him, this has promoted good governance in all ramifications in the council.

    NAN

  • 51 killed, 287 injured in road crashes in Bauchi – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi State has said 51 people died while 287 others were injured in various road accidents in the first quarter of the year.

    FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Abdulrazak Kajume, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Bauchi.

    According to him, 72 road accidents occurred in the state within the period under review.

    “We recorded 23 road accidents in January, 22 in February and 27 in March.

    “We recorded 15 death cases in January while 71 were seriously injured; in February 19 death cases were recorded as against 124 injured; 17 were killed in March while 92 were injured.”

    The sector commander attributed the road accidents to over speeding as well as careless driving by motorists and motorcyclists.

    “It is a matter of regret that in spite of the commission’s public enlightenment campaign on safe driving in the state, accidents still persists,” he said.

    Kajume said FRSC would continue to carry out public enlightenment campaigns in motor parks, market squares and roads on the dangers and causes of road accidents.

    “FRSC will not relent in its genuine determination to sensitise road users on safe drive in the state,” he said.

  • FRSC records 42 deaths from 27 road mishaps in Osun

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC says 42 lives were lost in 27 road accidents that occurred in Osun State in March.
    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Anthony Oko, made this known in Osogbo on Monday.
    Oko said that the accidents, which were recorded in different locations in the state, involved 198 persons, out of which 101 victims sustained various degrees of injuries, while others were unhurt.
    He said that most of the accidents were due to speeding, poor condition of the roads and sometimes failure by motorists to comply with road traffic rules and regulations.
    The official, who blamed the accidents on human errors, recklessness and impatience on the part of drivers, advised motorists to always operate within the road safety guidelines while driving.
    Oko said, however, that the commission issued 1,273 driver’s license to motorists in the month under review, while 173 traffic offenders were educated after they were apprehended.
    He warned that the commission continues to apprehend drivers without valid drivers’ licence.
    According to him, FRSC personnel had been directed to work round-the-clock to apprehend and prosecute traffic offenders to prevent unnecessary loss of lives and property on the roads.

  • 79 killed, 1,071 rescued during Easter holiday’s accidents – FRSC

    At least 79 people were killed and 1,071 rescued from 160 accidents recorded during the Easter holidays, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said on Friday.

    It said the accidents comprised 38 fatal, 94 serious and 25 minor crashes.

    The agency said the number of people involved in road crashes this year was 1,150, which was higher than the 963 recorded during the same period last year.

    According to the agency’s Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, there was 26 percent increase in the number of people rescued without injury during the  Easter patrol compared to last year.

    Kazeem said with 528 persons rescued with injuries against the 475 for last year, there was also 12 percent increase in that category.

    He said 5,836 offenders were apprehended and 6,551 offences recorded this year compared to 7,361 offenders and 8,896 offences recorded last year.

    He said: “A total of 337 persons were arraigned in Mobile Courts during the 2018 Easter Special Patrol compared to 399 persons in 2017, 318 offenders were convicted this year against the 379  recorded last year  and 16 persons were discharged and acquitted in 2018 compared to 17 in 2017.

    “From the total number of 160 crashes, 38 were fatal compared to 33 in 2017 (15 per cent) increase, 94 were serious crashes compared to 89 in 2017 (5.6 per cent) increase and 28 were minor crashes compared to 25 in 2017 (12 per cent) increase.”