The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FRSC

  • FRSC to commence implementation of speed limit device

    FRSC to commence implementation of speed limit device

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is to begin the enforcement of the new speed limit device with effect from April 2016 as against the earlier announced date of September 2015.

    Corp Marshal of the Commission, Boboye Oyeyemi who disclosed this at the 16 annual General Meeting of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the new date as a result of numerous appeals by Nigerians on the extension of the date of implementation.

    Represented by the Deputy Corp Marsha, Operation, AA Abu, the Corp Marshal said over 50 percent of accidents on Nigerian roads are traceable to road accident and indiscipline by drivers on the highway, pointing out that as part of efforts at addressing frequent road accident, the FRSC was working hard to curtail over speeding on the nation’s highways.

    He said further that as a result of the tanker fire in Anambra state and Lagos and several other crashes, the FRSC organised a stakeholders conference which recommended the re certification of tanker drivers across the country and regulation of speed limit.

    He disclosed that the decertification which began in July was carried out in Lagos and nine other Centres adding that as a result of the exercise, the FRSC discovered several fake and expired drivers license, while receiving a lot of complaints on the mishandling of the issuance of drivers’ licenses and issues of extortion by agents.

    Oyeyemi disclosed that the FRSC was working in collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that fake spare parts does not find their way into the Nigeria market anymore and call for timely rehabilitation of a Nigeria. Roads.

    Speaking earlier, National President of NARTO, Alhaji I Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya said that over 60 percent of Nigerian roads were in bad shape and in dire need if urgent attention.

    While challenging the government to immediately put the roads in order Bataiya said the association has “implicit confidence on the government of the country to deliver on their electoral mandate.

    “We strongly support the anti corruption campaign of Mr. president and we pledge to continue to play by the rules in line with our resolve to remain a committed and non partisan organisation poised to deliver transport efficiently and effectively throughout the country.

    “While congratulating the new ministers, particularly those of Power, Works and Housing, Transportation, Petroleum and Labour, we wish to appeal for quicker response to the country’s infrastructural  needs especially roads, railways, pipelines and refineries in order to address the unending energy crises that always destabilize our country.”

  • Five killed, 12 injured in Ogun auto crash

    Five killed, 12 injured in Ogun auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ota, Ogun, said five persons had died and 12 others sustained injuries in two separate accidents at the Toll-Gate, Sango-Ota, on Wednesday.

    The Unit Commander of the FRSC in the area, Mr Leye Adegboyega, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota that the first accident occurred at about 12.10 a.m., while the second one happened at about 6.40 a.m.

    Adegboyega attributed the two crashes that occurred on the same spot to ‘’carelessness’’ on the part of the drivers of the trucks involved in the accidents.

    He said that the brake of a Larfarge trailer that was heading to Lagos from Abeokuta failed and rammed into eight vehicles which resulted in the death of five persons while four persons sustained various degrees of injury in the first accident.

    ”All efforts by the FRSC officials to get the registration number of the Larfarge truck proved abortive because the truck fell into a ditch.

    ”The drivers and the motor boys that were involved in the two accidents also absconded because of the weight of the offences they committed,” he said.

    Adegboyega said the second accident which involved a truck with registration number KRD-215 XB loaded with gravels, was also heading toward Lagos when it lost control due to brake failure and crashed into eight other vehicles.

    He said the total number of people involved in the two accidents was 17, while five died and four sustained various injuries in the first accident.

    He said eight persons sustained minor injuries in the second accident.

    ”The five corpses had been deposited at the State Hospital, Sango-Ota, while the other four injured in the first accident are receiving treatment at the same hospital,” the unit commander said.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to construct speed breakers along the toll gate and its environs to check speeding and reduce road crashes in the area.

     

     

     

  • NGO, FRSC to join forces for safer roads

    NGO, FRSC to join forces for safer roads

    A strategic partnership aimed at making the roads safer for motorists and others during the “Ember months” has taken off.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and BeWise Community Empowerment initiative (BCEI), a non-governmental organisation, will work on the project.

    BCEI convener, Mrs Susan Chisom,  said her organisation would campaign against indiscriminate disposal of trash on the roads by motorists.

    The group, she said, has adopted a slogan: “Don’t be a killer,” to make many road users aware of how their actions, taken most times unconsciously, may lead to accident and eventual deformation or death of victims.

    She said: “We are saying to all road users, whether you are a motorist, or pedestrian that you should not be part of the problems. Don’t drop or litter the roads with things that could be injurious to other road users. Throwing things such as banana peels, water sachet, plastic pet bottle of drinks, out of the car windows, could be injurious to someone else, who might be coming behind or an unsuspecting pedestrian, leading to injuries, accident and even death.”

    Mrs. Chisom said it was curious that rather than use trash bins sold to commercial vehicles, motorists and passengers dispose refuse on the road, constituting not only a threat to the safety of others, but environmental menace -blocking of drainage – which causes  flooding.

    The Head, Public Education and Enlightenment of the FRSC, Mrs Olabisi Sonusi, who led FRSC officials on the road show, said the corporation was happy to partner with the group to make the roads safer.

    Sonusi said the indiscriminate throwing of waste and litters not only constitute an environmental nuisance, but is a causative agent of accidents on the roads. She praised the group for coming up with the initiative, which would not only address a major source of accidents, but ultimately help in sanitising the environment and beautify the nation.

    According to her, educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of keeping the roads safe and litter-free is a task for all Nigerians.

    BCEI’s media coordinator, Mr Nelson Ubong, said the road show would soon be taken to all motor parks and public places in Lagos State, Abuja and other parts of the country.

    Ubong said the need for attitudinal change among motoring public could not have come at a better time when Nigeria has started experiencing change in all areas of her national life.

    “One of the ways we would completely erase our profile as the dirtiest nation on earth lies in keying strongly into the campaign of the Bewise inititiave. This is a campaign, which is aimed at not only addressing how we manage our waste, but also at ensuring the safety of lives of all road users,” Ubong said.

    He praised Mrs Chisom for coming up with the initiative, which he said would re-orientate Nigerians and contribute to the safety of lives on our roads.

    Ubong called on well meaning Nigerians, especially strategic development partners and the media, to help the group by supporting the initiative.

  • Kuje FRSC cautions motorists on rules

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kuje Unit command, has urged motorists to obey traffic rules and avoid reckless driving.

    Mr Charles Umoh, the unit commander cautioned the drivers during a safety road show tagged “Driving Safely Into 2016” organised by the Kuje command.

    Umoh said the exercise was aimed at sensitising motorists on the need to strictly adhere to traffic rules and the dangers of reckless driving during the Yuletide.

    He said road crashes are not mere occurrences but negligence by some motorists which can be reduced by building good road-user attitude and adherence to traffic rules.

    According to him, record shows that arrogance on the part of drivers in terms of speeding, expired tires, drink-driving and over-loaded vehicles are the major causes of road accidents.

    “Accidents do not just happen; they are caused by road users as a result of negligence and disobedience of traffic rules and regulations.

    “Road traffic crashes are not mere occurrences but largely human, which can be reduced through conscious effort by driving carefully and strict adherence to traffic rules.

    “All we need to do on our highways is to examine our driving attitude to stay clear of any unhealthy practices and to be promoters of road safety advocacy,” he said.

    The Unit Commander also called for partnership with the Kuje Transport Union and FRSC Kuje command to work in synergy to reduce road accidents to the barest.

    He assured that there would be zero crash during and after the yuletide period as the Road Marshals would be vigilant during the festival.

    The FRSC FCT Sector Commander, represented by the Deputy Corps Commander, Mr Udeme Eshiet, urged Motorist in the area to obey traffic rules and drive safely into 2016.  According to him, unsafe conditions were factors responsible for road accidents and could be averted by strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations’

    Eshiet urged the taxi drivers and motorcycle riders in the area to obey road traffic rules during and after the Christmas period to ensure that innocent lives are not lost.

    He said that, “The road users need to be conscious of safety while on the road, and the need to change their attitude from negative to positive.

    “When you have respect for other road users, you will know that there is need to drive safely to avoid road accident.

    “There is always an increase in vehicular movement during the Christmas period, because people want to achieve something they have planned for the year.

    “But one thing is for sure, it is only the living that can achieve his/her goals, so I urge all the road users to drive safely into 2016 because there is another Christmas to celebrate.

    The Chairman of Kuje Tipper Garage Transport Union, Alhaji Saleh Haruna, thanked the Kuje FRSC for the sensitisation campaign and promised to cooperate with the command at all times.

    He called on FRSC and other stakeholders to ensure the mounting of more road signs at identified flash-points to caution drivers in the area.

    The sensitisation campaign featured drama presentation by the FRSC Club of the Nation Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Road Show

    The FRSC team visited Wowo Park along Kuje-Gwgagwalada road and Tipper Garage to sensitise members of the public on fake driver’s license and safety measures.

  • FRSC starts breath analysis of motorists

    FRSC starts breath analysis of motorists

    In a new bid to reduce the incidence of road traffic accidents which usually characterise the ‘ember months’, the FRSC will this week start to subject consumers and motorists to random breath analysis to detect and prosecute consumers driving under the influence of alcohol.

    Disclosing this to The Nation in an interview, the Commander, FRSC, Lagos Sector, Hyginus Omeje, said that special emphasis will be laid on critical roads such as the Lagos-Ibadan Express road, Lekki express ways and busy motor parks.

    “Drivers and consumers will be stopped randomly and their breath taken for an on-the-spot analysis and if tested positive, the vehicle will be impounded and the driver will be issued with a N5,000 ticket and arrested for  prosecution,” warned the FRSC chief.

    “The giant beverage brewery, Guinness Nig. Plc, has already donated the breath analysing machines to us, but in order to cover the whole state effectively, they have pledged to give us more this week so that we can have one machine serving each of our 15 Units Commands,” enthused Omeje.

    Lamenting the sale of alcohol openly at motor parks, Omeja lashed out at some of the manufacturers whom he said encourage drivers in drink-driving by packaging the drinks in sachets which makes it easier for drivers to sip while driving and at the same time  giving the impression to commuters that the driver is merely sipping yoghurt drink.

    Citing Chelsea alcoholic sachet drink, he regretted that it has even been deceptively coloured. The sachets makes it easier for most drivers to just pour the whole contents into their mouth before taking off or even while driving, adding that “the drivers believe that the alcohol keeps them awake and agile, conveniently forgetting the negative effects of drink-driving.

    “Before now, all we have done in terms of enforcement has been based on sobriety tests which cannot be used to prosecute offenders successfully. However, with the kind donation of breathalyser machines from Guinness Nig, we would be able to prosecute drivers successfully. And when we prosecute, one, two, five, 10 drivers successfully, you discover that the news will spread very fast and produce the behavioural change which this awareness campaign is expected to usher in,” he said.

    Excitedly, he added, “Not only that, this machine will enhance our enlightenment and enforcement campaign. For the first time, it will afford us the opportunity of having an empirical and credible data base which will enable us evaluate our road accident campaigns and other programmes,”

    On whether FRSC commands outside Lagos will also be receiving this donation, the Guinness Nig. Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said it depends on the success of the usage of the machines in decreasing the frequency of drink-driving in Lagos State.

    Speaking exclusively to The Nation, he said, “At the moment, we are not planning to extend the breathalysers to other FRSC Commands outside Lagos but I am sure that we can consider this, if, as we expect, the current campaign is very successful in reducing the incidence of drink-driving in Nigeria.”

    Recently, in a move to encourage responsible driving among motorists, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nig. Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, handed over alcohol test machines to the FRSC, Lagos Sector Commander, during the Guinness Nig/FRSC ‘ember months’ campaign at Ikeja, Lagos.

    According to Ndegwa, “the months leading to the festive end of the year, popularly referred to as ‘ember months’ have historically recorded a disproportionately high rate of road traffic accidents in Nigeria, making the campaign particularly imperative at this period.”

    This year’s awareness campaign, he said, will see the introduction of various novel and innovative strategies geared towards raising public awareness on the benefits of responsible alcohol consumption.

    Emphasising on the need to steer clear of alcohol when driving, Ndegwa cautioned, “Drinking and driving do not mix. When you drink, do not drive. When you go out in a group to have fun, designate someone to drive and that person should not drink. If you are going out alone, arrange for a taxi to take you home after you have had some drink. Whatever you do this season, do not drink and drive.”

    He said further, “At Guinness, we believe that our position as a market leader places significant responsibility on us to raise awareness about the importance of consuming alcohol responsibly. We are committed to responsible drinking and enlightening the public about the values of responsible alcohol consumption, especially during the festive period.

    “We are eager to increase awareness to ensure that Nigerians have an incident- free experience. Working in tandem with our various stakeholders on our responsible drinking initiatives, we have found a worthy partner in the FRSC, with whom on an annual basis we have carried out this ‘ember months’ campaign.”

    Ndegwa also disclosed that employees of the company have been encouraged to join FRSC special marshals, adding that “these inspiring Guinness Nig. employees are an embodiment of what the organisation and especially this partnership is all about – service for the greater good.”

    The FRSC Lagos Sector Commander was full of appreciation for Guinness, explaining that Guinness Nigeria’s partnership with the FRSC on road safety began eleven years ago when the United Nations declared 2004 as International Road Safety Year.

  • Guinness donates breathalyzers to FRSC

    Guinness donates breathalyzers to FRSC

    Do not drink and drive. Indeed, if you are a member of a group involved in some social activity that may involve drinking, nominate a member of that group, who must not drink and who will be responsible for driving others home.”

    These were the words of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Peter Ndegwa, to motorists.

    Ndegwa said this while handing over alcohol test machines to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, during the Guinness Nigeria/FRSC Ember month campaign at Ikeja, Lagos.

    Ndegwa was joined by the company’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr Sesan Sobowale and Policy and Public Affairs Head, Michael Onuoha.

    According to him, the months, leading to the festive end of the year, popularly referred to as “ember months” have historically recorded a disproportionately high rate of road traffic accidents in Nigeria, making the campaign particularly imperative at this period”.

    This year’s awareness campaign, he said, will see the introduction of various novel and innovative strategies geared towards raising public awareness on the benefits of responsible alcohol consumption.

    He said:“At Guinness Nigeria, we believe that our position as a market leader places a significant responsibility on us to raise awareness about the importance of consuming alcohol responsibly.  We are committed to responsible drinking and enlightening the public about the values of responsible alcohol consumption, especially during the festive period.

    “We are eager to increase awareness to ensure that Nigerians have an incident-free experience. Working in tandem with our various stakeholders on our responsible drinking initiatives, we have found a worthy partner in the FRSC, with whom on an annual basis, we have carried out this Ember Months campaign.”

    Ndegwa reiterated that drinking and driving do not mix, saying: “When you drink, don’t drive. When you go out in a group to have fun, designate someone to drive and that person should not drink. If you are going out alone, arrange for taxi to take you home after you have had some drink. Whatever you do this season, don’t drink and drive”.

    Activities to mark this year’s programme include: joint road shows to create awareness of drink-driving, radio and TV talk shows and for the first time, random testing of motorists with breathalyzer to check their blood alcohol concentration levels.

    Omeje urged motorists to obey traffic laws, avoid overloading and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

    “Before now, all we had done in terms of enforcement have been based on sobriety tests, which can’t be used to prosecute offenders successfully. However, with the kind donation of breathalyzers by Guinness Nigeria, we would be able to prosecute drivers successfully. And when we prosecute, one, two, five, 10 drivers successfully, you discover that the news will spread very fast and produce the behavioural change which this awareness campaign is expected to usher in,” he said.

     

  • Road crashes: FRSC seeks partnership

    Road crashes: FRSC seeks partnership

    To succeed in its drive to minimise crashes, if not eliminate it, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appealed for support from other military and paramilitary institutions. This, it said, would enable it to check indiscipline by motorists and other road users.

    RS.2 Zonal Commander Nse-Obong Charles Akpabio, made this submission after a meeting with the senior military and paramilitary officers at Idiroko Border, Ogun State, during his familiarisation/working visit to the area.

    He said: “The visit was part of my responsibilities of carrying out FRSC functions under my jurisdiction. This will enable me to interface with personnel of the corps, security agencies and other stakeholders for more collaboration.”

    Akpabio thanked the security agencies and stakeholders for their strong synergy and support since the establishment of the Corps 27 years ago. He, however, urged for more partnership, saying it is impossible for any agency to stand alone and deliver good services. He said safety should not be left for road safety administration and management agency only, as it is the collective responsibility of every well-meaning individual and organisation in the country.

    “For any agency to achieve its set goals, it requires the strong support from other government agencies in the course of dissemination of vital information, sharing of intelligence and enhances collaborations that would enable them to achieve a common goal for national development.

    “FRSC has discovered, through researches, that road crashes are preventable. It can be minimised or reduced. No matter how bad or worse our roads are the level of crashes that would occur on them would be based on how bad the motorists used the road. It has been discovered that 80 per cent of road crashes are caused by motorists who care less about safety or precautionary standards.”

    He appealed to motorists to embrace the culture of defensive driving and shun recklessness while driving.

    “Road crashes do not discriminate between ages and class. Nobody has immunity of road crashes. Therefore, drive responsibly for you to get to your destination safely,” he said.

    Akpabio urged motorists to always consider other road users as insane once they are driving.

    He appealed to uniformed men to avoid driving against traffic whenever the road is congested because they want to get to their destinations faster, advising them to consider the safety of other road users.

    He also urged them to always comply with traffic rules and regulations to enable them to show good example to other citizens. He noted that everyone has a role to play in the bid of eradicating the crashes in the country.

    He said if everyone can play individual role on daily basis, there is possibility of redeemed the nation from the incessant crashes.

    He pleaded that there should be commitment on the part of the personnel on the issue of road safety, even as he urged all officers to embark on training and re-training of their drivers and ensure their drivers possessed a valid driver’s license before allowing them to drive. He said driving license is the only certificate that permits any driver to drive on the road.

    “No company or agency’s identity card can be translated to be driver’s license,” he said.

    He urged the officers to shun patronage of touts or giving money to FRSC personnel for procurement of driver’s licence, whoever does that should definitely expect fake.

    Akpabio urged all vehicle owners to follow due process of obtaining the new number plate. He said vehicles’ number plates are now registered on vehicles’ owner name instead of the vehicles. This, he said, would enable the Corps and other security agencies to trace stolen vehicles or any vehicle that committed taffic or other crimes on the road.

    Akpabio pledged FRSC’s regular visit to the Idiroko Command and to train the officers on how to verify the original driver’s licence and number plates.

    Responding, the Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Haruna Mamud, thanked the Zonal Commander for the visit and the enlightenment. He appealed to the officers to continue their supports to the Corps to enable it to tackle causes of crashes on the roads.

    He enjoined all officers to comply with traffic rules and regulations while on duty.

     

  • FRSC to increase surveillance in ember-months

    FRSC to increase surveillance in ember-months

    The Kubwa Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja has worked out a special plan to control end-of-year road crashes.

    The command said that the ember-months season has always been a challenging period characterised by peculiar traffic offenses in Kubwa and on the expressway.

    Assistant Corps Commander, Yusuf Abdullahi said the unit will deploy its men and logistics early to identified areas around Kubwa and environs to ensure an improved presence of FRSC operatives.

    Abdullahi condemned the way drivers overload their vehicles, violate speed limits, commit lane indiscipline and disregard traffic rules and regulations.

    He said that part of the units strategies towards a safer road during the festive season includes stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the National Union of Road Transport Owners, the Nigerian Police (NURTO) and fleet operators in addition to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)ý and other sister agencies.

    He also added that the strategies will be complemented with 23 Emergency Ambulance Service Centres code named ZEBRAS, a toll free line 122 to enable the unit respond promptly to traffic emergencies and embark on robust public enlightenment campaigns and the strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations in Kubwa.

    He also said, “It was in the effort to deal with this challenge that the Corps came up with the initiative of the Special Ember Months Patrol which involve massive deployment of staff and logistics to the road as build up towards effective management of traffic and to contain the peýrennial obstructions, gridlock and other accompanying hazards that have been witnessed within this period over the years.

    “The tendency for drivers to overload their vehicles, violate speed limit, commit lane indiscipline and disregard other traffic rules and regulations is always higher in this period and these violations heighten the spate and fatalities of road traffic crashes within the period. Tackling the challenges, therefore, has always been the task before the FRSC, as the lead agency for road traffic management and Administration in the country, over the years.

    “This year presents yet another challenge that we have to tackle head-on and we are committed to tackling them to save road users especially within Kubwa and its environs from dreadful experiences, and I want to assure you that the Corps has drawn a robust road map towards addressing these challenges.

    “In line with our pro-active drive, we have embarked on early deployment of men and logistics to the identified areas to ensure improved presence of FRSC operatives at designated blocks.”

     

  • Fayose didn’t arrest our staff-FRSC

    Fayose didn’t arrest our staff-FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disowned a traffic offender, Mr. Adeola Alabi, arrested by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose last Thursday.

    Ekiti Sector Commander, Stanley Chinedum, said Alabi was neither a staff, volunteer nor special marshal of the agency.

    He said:  “The offender could be an impersonator or a dismissed special marshal who is still using old sticker of special marshals.

    “FRSC is noted for discipline and exemplary behaviour with adequate machinery to check excesses and abuses.”

    The Head of Media Relations and Strategy FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, said the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, “was full of praises for the governor for arresting a traffic offender and appealed to other senior government officials to emulate this rare deed as road safety is everybody’s business.”

  • Tanker driver dies in Ogun auto crash

    Tanker driver dies in Ogun auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ota, Ogun, said one person died, while six others sustained various degrees of injuries in an accident involving a petrol tanker and four vehicles at Owode Junction on Saturday.

    The Unit Commander of FRSC, Mr Leye Adegboyega, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota that the accident occurred around 5.30a.m due to the carelessness of the tanker driver.

    According to him, a loaded petrol tanker coming from Lagos and heading to Abeokuta lost control and ram into four vehicles which catch fire immediately.

    He said that the fire from the tanker spread to the neighbouring houses and property worth million of naira was lost in the inferno.

    Adegboyega said that the driver of the tanker, whose name was Wale Olaitan, lost his life while six others including four male and two female sustained various degrees of injuries.

    ”The corpse of the victim had been deposited at the mortuary, Ifo General hospital, Ogun, while others victims were referred to Federal Medical Centre, Idl-Aba, Abeokuta, for an intensive treatment, ‘’ he said.

    He appealed to the Federal, Lagos and Ogun state governments to overhaul the Owode road to prevent re-occurrence of such incident in order to save lives and property.