The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FRSC

  • FRSC to ensure safety compliance on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    FRSC to ensure safety compliance on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    As construction work resumeS on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has promised to ensure that  safety measures are observed on sites.

    He spoke at a joint meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing and the two construction companies handling the road project, Julius Berger PLC and RCC.

    According to Bisi Kazeem, Head Media Relations and Strategy, in a statement yesterday in Abuja,  Oyeyemi, who was represented at the meeting by the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Policy, Research and Statistics,  Dr. Kayode Olagunju, expressed satisfaction with the commitment made by the construction companies to observe safety standards in the construction areas.

    He commended the Minister of Works, Power and Housing for directing the construction companies to strictly adhere to safety standards, promising that FRSC in discharging its responsibilities would continue to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that safety measures are taken in the construction areas.

    The Corps Marshal identified a number of challenges that could undermine safety in the areas. These, he said include inadequate signage at the construction sites, illegal openings and u-turns at dangerous locations and deep potholes as well as failed portions. Others, he said are failed hard shoulders, flooding, crocodile cracks and improper and dangerous diversions as well as inadequate lighting around the sites which could create hazards at night.

    Oyeyemi urged the two construction companies to provide standard and appropriate road signs in all the construction sites and ensure that uniform and adequate signage are provided to guide the motorists. He gave assurances that FRSC will embark on joint field assessment patrol with the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing and representatives of the two construction companies to provide information on the location of the identified illegal openings for immediate filling and closure to traffic.

  • Three die, 14 Injured in another Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident 

    Three die, 14 Injured in another Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident 

    Three persons were Thursday confirmed dead and 14 others injured after a truck rammed into commercial bus with 17 occupants.

    The accident occurred at about 5:30am around Berger on the Busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, less than 24 hours after multiple crashes claimed no fewer than eight lives on the Ogun State axis of the road.

    It was gathered that an unregistered truck lost control and rammed into the commercial bus marked KRD326XG killing two males and a female on the spot.

    The Nation gathered that the bus somersaulted after it was hit by the truck and veered off its lane.
    While the three persons who died were trapped under the bus, others who made it out early sustained varying injuries.

    It was learnt that it took the combined efforts of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the State Fire Service, Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC) officials to extricate the bodies of the deceased underneath the vehicle.

    Confirming the accident, General Manager LASEMA, Michael Akindele said it was caused by the recklessness of the truck driver.

    He stated that the agency received a distress call at about 5:36am on the accident, adding that all the injured were taken to the Accident and Emergency unit.

    He said: “We received a distress call through the emergency toll lines at about 5:36am. This prompted immediate activation of the ERT of LASEMA and other emergency responders which include Lagos State Ambulance Services, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigeria Police, LASTMA and the FRSC to the scene of accident.

    “Preliminary investigation carried out by the ERT at the scene of the incident revealed that the incident was as a result of reckless driving of the truck driver.

    “The truck collided with the LT bus, causing it to veer off the road leading to the accident. Nine passengers sustained serious injuries, while five others sustained minor injuries and were immediately rushed down to the trauma center by FRSC and LASAMBUS. The truck driver was taken to the Trauma center as a result of shock.

    “Three passengers were also trapped dead and were extricated by the LASEMA Emergency Response Team with the use of the light duty equipment. 17 passengers were said to be on board the bus.

    “Motorist should avoid reckless driving and also ensure that they drive within the appropriate speed limit to prevent road traffic accident in the State.”

  • FRSC arrests 25 traffic offenders in Akwa Ibom

    FRSC arrests 25 traffic offenders in Akwa Ibom

    THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday said it  arrested 25 traffic offenders during one-hour special operation titled, “Operation Good Morning Uyo” in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    The state’s sector commander, Mrs. Cecilia Alao, in an interview with reporters in Uyo, said the operation was meant to apprehend driver’s licence violators and those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

    She said: “This operation, ‘Good Morning Uyo’, is aimed at bringing sanity into motorists using our roads.

    “Within one hour today, we made 25 arrests. Out of which 11 people were arrested for driver’s license violation, and out of this number four had fake driver’s licence.

    “The rest of the 14 offenders were arrested for not using their seatbelts while driving.

    “The operation is to make sure that drivers basically on the wheels are licensed to drive and we are saying that if people must be licensed to drive they should go through the normal process and obtain valid driver’s license.

      “The command has concluded arrangement to move road marshals under our command to churches and mosques to sensitise Akwa Ibom people on safety measures during this raining season.”

    Mrs Alao said the FRSC was determined to reduce road accidents.

    Mrs Alao said: “We are also advising people, that this is raining season, we must take proper care of our vehicles.  We do not need to over speed during this period of raining season. Your wipers and tyres must be good so that you can drive safely to your destination.”

  • FRSC educates motorists on safe tyres

    FRSC educates motorists on safe tyres

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in conjunction with Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, has organised a one-day sensitisation programme for motorists and other stakeholders in Ota, a suburb of Ogun State.

    The programme, tagged: Promoting Safe Use of Tyres, was in furtherance to FRSC tyre’s campaign across the country.

    The host FRSC’s Unit Commander, Assistant Corps Commander Leye Adegboyega, said the programme was meant to enable motorists get acquainted with necessary information about tyre usage and when to discard them to avoid accidents and deaths on the roads.

    The campaign, he said, was imperative because of the growing number of crashes caused by tyre blowouts or bursts on the highways.

    Road safety, Adegboyega said, is a public health concern which affects everyone, regardless status or position.  “Globally, tyre bursts are a top cause of road traffic crashes and Nigeria is not an exception,” the FRSC chief said.

    Adegboyega recalled that between 2011 and 2015, about 5,288 road crashes occurred across the country because of bad, worn-out or expired tyres, saying 70 cases of road crashes, caused by tyre bursts, were recorded between this year February 29 and April 8.

    He said SON and FRSC were on Federal Government’s instruction to work together to ensure sanity in the use of the tyres across the country.

    He appealed to the tyre dealers or sellers to store them inside shops or in dry environments that would not exposed them to sources of ozone (sunlight, arc welding, mercury vapour lamps), bad weather hydrocarbon pollution (diesel, petrol, grease) and ultraviolet radiation.

    He said the storage space of tyres should be stacked on top of each other in piles not higher than 1.2 metres (four feet), preferably on pallets for a short term.

    He said the agency would raids on those selling used tyres according to the Federal Government policy on banning on the importation of used tyres.

    According to him, the figures are rising and the cases are almost always fatal when they occur.

    Adegboyega said tyres were the major link between vehicle and the road, adding that tyres were the only components in the vehicle that touch the road.

    The representative of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Enebi Shaibu Onucheyo, urged tyre dealers, manufacturers, importers and sellers to support government’s efforts at eradicating substandard tyres in the country.

    The SON chief noted that the programme was imperative because of recent accidents involving tyre-related issues on Nigerian road.

     

     

  • Power bikes for FRSC

    Power bikes for FRSC

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO, Agbami Co-venturers has donated three power bikes to the Lagos Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Agbami group comprises Star Deepwater Petroluem Limited (a Chevron Company), Famfa Oil Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited, Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Presenting the bikes on behalf of the group, the Manager, Star Deepwater Operation and Maintenance, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Seghes I. Samuel, said the gesture was part of the group’s efforts aimed at supporting the Corps’ road safety initiative.

    Seghes said using the bikes would enhance effective performance of responsibilities in the commission such as road safety management and safe enforcement of strategies.

    He said being a safety core value group, such donations were given to FRSC in Delta, sponsoring regular training programmes for drivers, providing helmets for motorcyclists and the group has even organised safety enlightenment programmes for truck drivers and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. In the spirit of helping children to imbibe road safety culture early in life, the group has organised child road safety campaigns in many states of the federation.

    Receiving the gifts on behalf of the Corps, the RS2 Zonal Commander, Nseobong Charles Akpabio, thanked the group and promised that it would be used for the purpose for which they were donated.

    The two-in-one event was also used to embark on a one-day sensitisation exercise for motorists and other stakeholders within the state.

    Speaking, Akpabio said the event was organised for the motorists to be acquainted with all the necessary information about tyres usage and when to discard them to avoid accidents and deaths on the roads.

    He lamented that the misuse of vehicles has turned to an instrument of self-destruction in the hands of mankind.

    Akpabio said: “Road crashes does not discriminate the rich from the poor, young against old, lets change our attitude on the use of roads to avoid incessant crashes,” he added.

    The high point of the event was the field campaign on ‘know your tyre’ where motorists, vulcanisers and stakeholders were guided on the exact gauge of their tyres and how to identify good tyres.

    Present at the event were captain of all industries, vulcanisers and all transportation unions.

  • FRSC arrests man who allegedly retreads worn tyres

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday announced the arrest of a 50-year old man, Mohammed Tudunwada, for  retreading old tyres for sale to the public.

    Commander of the FRSC Zaria unit in Kaduna State , Boyi Ali-Maigari, told newsmen in Zaria that the suspect’s factory was located at Tudun Wada area of the town, where he had been perpetrating his illegal business.

    He said that the suspect failed to show any sign of remorse.

    Mr. Ali-Maigari attributed most road crashes to tyre problems, saying that there were recurring cases of tyre violations by motorists.

    “Investigation shows that most drivers patronise the retread tyres which are being used to ply our roads not minding the consequences on human lives,” he said.

    He, however, lauded the efforts of the Federal Government for banning the importation and use of “tokunbo” tyres.

    The commander said that the measure would guarantee the safety of lives and property of Nigerians.

    He said the unit would organise a sensitisation workshops for stakeholders in the transport industry on the dangers of using retreaded tyres.

    The suspect told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he inherited the business from his father and that the family had depended on it for more than 40 years.

    “My boy, Shamsu, 25, was arrested during a raid at my workshop at Tudun Wada today (yesterday) and later I was arrested and detained. I have no regret doing this business left for me; it is not a crime but a business,” he said.

    NAN reported that items recovered from the suspect included one power generator, two treading machines and two transistors.

    Investigation revealed that a retreaded tyre is sold at between N500 and N800 in Zaria.

  • FRSC cautions youths on road safety

    FRSC cautions youths on road safety

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has urged youths to be conscious when using the roads either as motorists or commuters. The commission said this during the launch of the Road Safety Club and commemoration of the 2016 Children’s day.

    The program which was held at the Ebenezer Comprehensive  High School, according to  Doctor Tunde Agbaje, a Special Marshall, is aimed at re-inculcating road safety consciousness among youths and children. The theme of the event was ‘Children, say no to  road road crashes.’

    Assistant Corps Commander, Lanrewaju Ogundele, during his welcome address, said that the FRSC wants to eradicate all forms of road crashes by first arming young people with useful safety rules. He said, “it is the aim of the FRSC to inform the children by inculcate road safety precautions into the young ones early in life.”

    Also speaking at the event was Mrs. Kemi Oyebade, proprietress of Great Royalvile School, explained the importance of being alert while on the road. She urged Nigerians to  to stop making phone calls and avoid drunkenness while on the road in the interest of all road users.

     

    Present at the event also was Olori Adedayo Shyllon, Pastor Kolawole Ojo, DRC Francis Oladele, CRS Bridget Njoku, Barrister Akamo Michael and other dignitaries.

     

     

  • Highway safety: FRSC targets secondary schools’ pupils

    Highway safety: FRSC targets secondary schools’ pupils

    To inculcate road safety in youths, the Federal Road Safety Corps in Lagos State has taken the campaign to secondary schools’ pupils.

    As part of the campaign, it organised a quiz competition for selected 20 schools to commemorate the 2016 children’s Day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised separately by the Lekki and Yaba Units of the corps to inculcate the Highway Code in the students.

    Mr Azuibike Onyemeh, Unit Commander of Lekki told NAN that the campaign was to prepare the children to start thinking of the challenges of being future leaders in various aspects of life.

    “The objective is to inculcate in them and put into practicel road safety education and the culture of road safety in children because they are the future leaders.

    “This is the reason for the road safety related quiz competition in which five schools are competing.

    “If their parents are driving on a high speed or making calls while driving, the children will be able to correct them since they have learnt the necessary precautions,” he said.

    In her remarks, Mrs Nimota Okoro, the officer of Yaba Unit of FRSC, observed that most parents or drivers pay little or no attention to the safety of children, especially while driving.

    “Evidence from patrol and enforcement activities show that several children are not protected with seatbelt while sitting in a vehicle and there are a lot of underage drivers.

    “This act of negligence exposes them to great danger especially in the event of road crashes.

    “Often you see mothers carrying their babies on their laps or children standing while on the wheels; or parents sending their underage children on errand with their cars.

    “This is wrong and it must stop,’’ he added.

    She, therefore, urged all stakeholders to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of children in their environment.

    Mrs Owoupele Diseph, a parent, commended the FRSC for the initiative and urged other parents to ensure that the safety of their children was accorded priority attention.

    Another parent and teacher, Mrs Tinuke Ogunleye, said the programme was educative, especially the rules and driving code..

    “Parents need to expose their children to such knowledge because it teaches the children the hazards of disobeying the road safety rules.”

    Miss Ijeoma Ubah, a student of Ayomi School in Lekki, said the event had enlightened her on road signs and driving code.

    “Before now I did not know much about the various road signs and code but preparing for the quiz competition made me to know more,’’ she told NAN.

     

  • Enhancing FRSC efficiency

    Enhancing FRSC efficiency

    •We commend the Federal Govt for providing the corps with 283 vehicles

    To whom much is given, much is expected in return”. That would have been the message President Muhammadu Buhari was passing to the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday, during the commissioning of newly acquired 283 operational vehicles for the corps in Abuja. He was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Retd).

    The president had directed FRSC officials to ensure strict enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations. He expressed sadness over the unnecessary loss of lives on our highways due to violation of traffic rules, especially by prominent citizens. He was also worried about the poor handling of cargo containers during haulage, many of which had led to serious accidents on the roads, as well as overloading of vehicles with animals, cargoes and passengers, especially by commercial vehicle operators, a thing capable of reducing the longevity of our roads and safety of passengers. “There are numerous instances where poorly handled cargo containers have fallen off their haulage trucks on hapless road users. This phenomenon has contributed to several avoidable deaths every now and then,” he said.

    These are good observations by the president and it is not that the FRSC officials do not know that these are their responsibilities. But, it is just as well that they be reminded that having been assisted with some of the required logistics, they have no excuse not to be efficient in the performance of their duties. In other words, we expect to see better compliance with road traffic rules now that the corps has additional 283 operational vehicles, including ambulances, patrol vehicles, tow trucks and administrative vehicles, in line with the government’s desire to ensure safety and security of the citizens on our roads and minimise road carnage.

    We share in the president’s optimism that it would not be business as usual on our roads, henceforth.

    However, there are some other requirements needed to facilitate the jobs of the FRSC as well as reduce the trauma of accident victims. The Federal Government should establish functional and well equipped trauma centres on its highways while state governments should consider same for their roads. The purpose is to stabilise accident victims pending when they are taken to hospitals for proper medical attention. Many accident victims had needlessly bled to death in the absence of such centres.

    The corps has a lot to do by way of public enlightenment. We acknowledge that it has been conducting various programmes, especially for commercial vehicle operators like the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others; it should extend same to other road users. The officials should study accident-prone zones with a view to manning them more effectively.

    We also expect the FRSC officials to bring to government’s attention dangerous spots on the highways. Since they are usually on the roads, they know where such death traps are and would do well to inform the government about  them on time before any harm is done.

    As President Buhari noted, road safety is not the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government. State governments, corporate organisations and private individuals have responsibility in this regard. It is gladdening that in response to the president’s directive, the FRSC has commenced the training and certification of convoy drivers to minimise road traffic crashes involving the government drivers. These people need such training because they often assume that they are kings on the roads because of the personalities they drive. Unfortunately, death or road crash is no respecter of status. We have had many instances of government functionaries who died in road accidents.

    All said, we hope the FRSC officials would make judicious use of the new operational vehicles as well as their other facilities, realising that they were procured with the tax-payers’ money.

    We commend the Federal Government for the gesture and hope that it would not relent in its support to the corps in order to enhance its efficiency.

  • FRSC prosecutes offenders

    FRSC prosecutes offenders

    Thirty-nine traffic offenders were at the weekend prosecuted at the mobile court of the Ijebu-Ode Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Legal Officer of the Ogun State Sector Command, Uzoma Chinedu Enwereuzo, said the offenders were apprehended at Ijebu-Ode old tollgate, along Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway for violating regulations ranging from not possessing valid driver’s licenses, seat belt violation, driving with expired tyres or lack of spare tyres, among others.

    Enwereuzo said 37 of the offenders were convicted with the option of fine according to the gravity of their offences, while the others were cautioned and discharged by the presiding Magistrate Oluranti Sunday Faronbi.

    Unit Commander Austin U. Ekele said there was need to aggressively educate drivers and enforce traffic rules to reverse the trend of incessant crashes.

    According to Ekele, the Corps will not compromise on its vision to eradicate accidents and create a safe motoring environment for the public.

    Noting that the Corps has been embarking on mobile courts, motor parks and advocacy visits to Churches, Mosques and companies, coupled with the daily public enlightenments for road users, he, urged motorists to avoid excessive speeding, overloading, use of expired/ worn out tyres and to cultivate the habit of vehicle maintenance in order to avoid mechanical deficient vehicles plying the roads.