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Tag: FRSC

  • Christmas: FRSC deploys 35,000 to control traffic

    Christmas: FRSC deploys 35,000 to control traffic

    THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has deployed no fewer than 35,000 officers to help control traffic during the Yuletide.

    Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, revealed this yesterday while flagging-off a zero tolerance operation against breaking of traffic rules during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    The end of year special patrol operation, code named: “Operation Zero Tolerance”, has the theme: “Road Safety is a collective responsibility: It Depends on you”, was performed by Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

    Oyeyemi stressed that the corps would not tolerate any form of reckless driving on Nigeria roads any longer.

    During this period, he said drivers were in the habit of overloading their vehicles, violating speed limits, committing lane indiscipline and disregarding other traffic rules and regulations.

    He said: “These violations heighten the spate and fatalities of road traffic crashes within the period, thus tasking the capability of members of the corps and in fact, other stakeholders who are concerned with the pervasive obstruction, death and injuries as well as loss of man hour caused by delays.”

    He added that the corps, in collaboration with the Nigeria Air Force, will be launching an aerial support programme today.

    “In this year’s exercise, we have mobilised about 20,000 of the regular marshals and 15,000 of the special marshals who would be assisted by volunteers from some civil organisations as well as members of other security agencies.

    “In view of our findings that speed-related road crashes account for almost 50 per cent among the causative factors of road traffic crashes, this effort led to introduction of speed limiting devices and its compulsory usage by drivers as approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) will commence June 1, 2015.”

    He called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in the campaign for safer road environment, bearing in mind that road traffic crashes don’t just happen.

    According to him, crashes are caused either by omission or commission of drivers and can be averted.

    Yero, who was represented by his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, praised the FRSC for its effort at saving lives, enjoining the corps to sustain the tempo.

    The governor assured of the government’s commitment to give necessary support to the FRSC in activities targeted at saving lives.

  • FRSC holds ‘Don’t drink and drive’ campaign

    FRSC holds ‘Don’t drink and drive’ campaign

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lagos has organised a sensitisation programme for road users in Surulere and its environs.

    The theme for this year’s campaign was “Drink and Drive: An impediment to safe trip” and aimed at discouraging road users from indulging in alcohol and hard drugs which it said could affect visibility and sense of judgment while driving.

    In her opening remark, the Unit Commander, Olawumi Oyeniyi said “when you drink and drive, it will affect your brain and your sense of judgment will not be accurate.”

    She stressed that crashes could be avoided if drivers avoid drinking before driving.

    Oyeniyi urged vehicles owner to fit in speed limit devices in their vehicles to avoid over-speeding by drivers.

    The Officer Commanding 25 Engineer Regiment, Abati Barracks, Surulere, Col. Kelvin Ukandu urged participants at this year’s “ember” month campaign to always obey traffic rules and road signs.

    “We must obey traffic and road signs, only then can we live to enjoy with our families,” Col. Ukandu, who was also the special guest at the event, said.

    He maintained that drivers should obey rules whether traffic officers are there or not.

    The Coordinator of the Special Marshal of the unit, Mr. Chinedu Edekobi, reiterated that having seat belt, rear lights, brakes, good tires, fire extinguisher and other sensitive and important parts of a vehicle could go a long way in preventing road accidents.

    Responding, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers’ Associations of Nigeria (RTEAN), Surulere zone, Imosura Beyioku, promised to pass the information to other drivers who could not be at the event.

    The “ember” month is a yearly programme organised by the Public Education Department of the FRSC to educate, enlighten and sensitise road users on the need to prevent road crashes which have claimed many innocent lives.

  • Traffic offenders may spend Christmas in jail – FRSC

    Traffic offenders may spend Christmas in jail – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has on Monday disclosed that some road traffic offenders may spend the Christmas holidays in jail.

    The FRSC Zonal Commander in-charge of zone 5, Mr. Charles Akpabio, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra, that the commission would deploy mobile and magistrate courts on all road corridors.

    Akpabio, who is in-charge of zone 5 comprising of Anambra, Delta and Edo states, said that the move would act as deterrent to road traffic offenders and a reminder to their families and friends to keep warning them to be careful while on the road.

    “Now, the essence is to allow them to explain themselves to the judge or to the magistrate – no I didn’t commit the offence, it is not true or I committed the offence, I am sorry.

    “If the magistrate decides to allow them to go free, they are free; if the magistrate decides that with the evidence available before the court and say no don’t go free, pay the fine.

    “Sometimes, in some cases, they can say pay the fine and go to jail, or go to jail without option of fine; they will show, they will be a deterrent to other road users.

    “And for the numbers of years we have utilized mobile courts and magistrate courts in our operations, they have been very effective.

    “So this time around, we intend to utilise the mobile courts as well on all the (road) corridors.

    “Some offenders that would be arrested for speed violation, dangerous driving, use of phone while driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving with expired spare tyre and overloading may likely, by the judgment of the courts, spend the Christmas or New Year or New Year and Christmas in jail.”

    The zonal commander said the organisation had deployed more than 3,000 marshals, 43 vehicles, 10 motorbikes on road corridors in Anambra, Delta, and Edo states to ensure safety of Nigerians this yuletide season.

    “We have six advanced life support ambulances, two heavy duty tow trucks to be located each at Niger Bridge and Benin for effective coverage, 4 medium duty tow trucks to compliment the heavy duty tow trucks for quick removal of obstruction.”

    He said the FRSC approved the commencement of “Operation Zero Tolerance” nationwide to help deal with road users’ refusal to adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

    “All the deployments are with immediate effect since “Operation Zero Tolerance” commences on December 19, 2014 and ends on January 13, 2015.

    “All patrol teams are equipped with reflective jackets for team members, traffic cones, patrolites and radar guns to help checkmate speeding drivers on the road.

    “Breathalyzers in quantities have been allocated to command such that any driver suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be promptly tested.

    “If the driver tests positive, he or she will be charged to mobile court on the spot.”

  • FRSC, Honeywell caution motorists on safety

    Motorists have been enjoined to apply all safety rules during this festive season to ensure accident-free New Year and Christmas celebrations. This safety campaign was taken to notable motor parks in Lagos by the Federal Road Safety Corps, in partnership with Honeywell Flour Mills Plc where drivers were enlightened on safe driving culture.

    Tagged “Child Safety Shared Responsibility”, the initiative, according to Divisional Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Dr. Nino Ozara, is to create awareness among motorists on the need to ensure safety of children, by observing all child safety rules while driving. According to him, it is also essential to heighten safety campaign for all road users during this festive season.

    He said “we as a company also use the road extensively, our products travel far and wide in the country. Therefore, we feel committed to partner with the FRSC to educate Nigerians on this awareness. We just want to educate them on the need to be very careful at this time”.

  • Jonathan charges citizens on volunteer service

    Jonathan charges citizens on volunteer service

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said that volunteerism and citizens’ responsibilities were vital requirements in the transformation process in the country.

    The president made the statement at the 12th National Summit of Special Marshals of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Abuja.

    The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan was represented at the occasion by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    He called on Nigerians to be willing to volunteer themselves towards national transformation as exemplified by the role of special marshals.

    “Road safety is not a responsibility that should be left only to the regular marshals (FRSC officials) as it requires assistance, understanding and collaboration of all Nigerians.

    “Volunteerism and citizens’ responsibility are fundamental in the transformation process of our dear country,” the president said.

    Jonathan described the FRSC special marshals in Nigeria as the largest volunteer force in Africa.

    According to the President, the marshals had been playing crucial roles in the campaign to ensure the success of road safety in the country.

    Commending the FRSC for the good work it had been doing with of government’s its continuous support, Jonathan said: “I recommend on merit, the special marshal programme to other countries in African and beyond.”

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the FRSC remained committed to safety on the nation’s roads.

    “The essence of this summit is to reflect on how the special marshals have contributed towards operational efficiency of FRSC.

    “It is also to make them more committed in their voluntary service to ensure safety on the nation’s roads,” Oyeyemi disclosed.

    Dr. Sini Kwabe, the National Coordinator of Special Marshals, urged members to be more committed to ensure safety on the roads.

    He called on people of integrity to volunteer themselves to the development of the nation by joining as special marshals.

    NAN recalls that the special marshals’ scheme was established in 1989 as a voluntary service to complement the activities of the FRSC.

    There are over 13,000 special marshals currently complementing 19,000 regular officers of the FRSC.

    The summit with the theme “Transforming Nigeria through Volunteerism: The Nigerian Special Marshals Strategy,” was attended by stakeholders in the road sector, members of the armed forces and Para-military agencies.

  • FRSC to create 71 driver’s licence centres

    FRSC to create 71 driver’s licence centres

    THE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is set to create additional 71 centres in addition to the existing 129.

    This is to ensure that Nigerians have easy access to the processing of their driver’s licences and number plates.

    The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, said this yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a workshop organised for motor licensing authority and sector Heads of driver’s license centres from 36 states of the federation and FCT.

    He said by the end of this year, the commission would have activated 200 centres nationwide to tackle challenges within the system.

     

  • FRSC, Anambra tackle road crashes

    FRSC, Anambra tackle road crashes

    The sensitisation campaign took the form of a carnival but the stern faces of men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) conveyed the seriousness of the exercise.

    They gathered at the popular Aroma Square in Awka in collaboration with the Anambra State government to tell the people of the state that traffic offenders will no longer go unpunished.

    Anambra State Sector Commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi pledged to eliminate the gridlock at Bridge head in the commercial city of Onitsha every festive period.

    But to get it right, Ajayi said that all stakeholders including the drivers, security agencies and the corps members to raise the awareness in road safety.

    The theme of the programme was entitled, “road safety is a shared responsibility, it depends on you”.

    Speaking with the Nation after the event, the FRSC Commander for Benin zone comprising Anambra, Edo and Delta states, Mr. Charles Akpabio, said there is need for strict adherence to safety regulations by motorists.

    He said that more than 50 percent of road crashes in the country were due to violations of speed limit.

    Akpabio said that everybody must get involved in the business of road safety as there was nobody who does not use the roads as part of his journey.

    “Every motorist like any other human being has some element of insanity in him, a good driver is one who drives with the mindset that other road users are equally mad”.

    He warned that the officers of the agency in the zone would be strict with the implementation of all safety rules and regulations, especially as the yuletide draws close.

    “Lack of attention to simple regulations and most especially, speed violations alone cause more than 50 percent of crashes on our roads, we are going to deploy radar guns, tranquilizers in our patrol  exercises to ensure that we reduce crashes at least 25 percent this period”

    For Ajayi, the commendation should go to Anambra state government for its assistance to the FRSC in the provision of logistics for their operations and the training of drivers in its employ.

    He said, “Anambra government has always provided the enabling environment for the command, we will continue to make effective use of such opportunities to achieve effective delivery.

    Governor Willie Obiano praised the FRSC command in the state for the safety level recorded so far in the state, but pledged continued partnership with the agency.

    He was represented by the state Commissioner for Transport, Chuma Mbonu, a lawyer at the event.

    He said, the state administration was paying huge attention to road infrastructure in the state as to ease traffic within the state.

    “Part of this effort is the construction of three flyovers in the Awka metropolis, this administration is very concerned about ensuring that roads in Anambra state are safe for all users” Obiano said.

    Some of the drivers, Okwudili Nwagu, Innocent Okezie, Anthony Okafor who spoke with the Nation said they would adhere to the rules and regulations of the agency, especially during the yuletide period.

    And to show the seriousness of the state government, Obiano has already banned the sale of alcoholic drinks in all the motor parks in the state.

     

  • FRSC arrests 97 motorists for fake number plates, driver’s licences

    FRSC arrests 97 motorists for fake number plates, driver’s licences

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bayelsa State Command, has nabbed 97 motorists for offences bordering on fake number-plates and fake driver’s licences in one operation.

    It was learnt that 55 motorists were arrested for illegally acquiring number- plates while 42 others were rounded up for fake driver’s licences.

    They were all apprehended during an exercise, ‘Operation Blast’, carried out by the corps in Yenagoa metropolis on Monday in partnership with the state Board of Internal Revenue.

    FRSC’s State Commandant Vincent Jack said in spite of public campaigns and enlightenment programmes, many motorists were still falling to the antics of quacks and fraudsters.

    He said the command observed a common practice of 30 tricycle operators duplicating and using one driver’s licence.

    He said the corps arrested some of them who claimed that there was nothing wrong in using their brother’s licences.

    He said: “This development portends serious danger that if we do not contain it, we might end up having so many people on the road who do not have any business to be there.

    “We feel that we should quickly restore the dignity of the driver’s licence. For the fake number plates, we discovered that many Bayelsans still go to Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

    “So, 90 per cent of those we have arrested illegally acquired their number plates from Port Harcourt. When you ask them, they will say,’ my brother just introduced us to one licensing agent’ who usually told them they could acquire Bayelsa number-plates in Port Harcourt.

    “That is capital flight – it goes to some people’s pockets and worse still, the number you are carrying is not even original. If your vehicle is stolen, you cannot recover it because it is not in our data base.”

    He said the command was able to recover some stolen vehicles in the past because they were properly registered.

    Jack advised Nigerians to go to the board of internal revenue of the state or recognized motor licensing offices of any of the state to acquire their licences.

    He said: “Those are the places you can genuinely get the product. Outside that, you may be dealing with conmen. Right now, the sanction for anybody caught is we seize the plate and we issue you a ticket which you pay the prescribed fines.

    “Of course, we give you an ultimatum of three days to go and reregister your vehicles properly. If you don’t do that after three days, we charge you to court for trial.

    Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue, Godson Sorukuru, said the operation, was carried out to check certain categories of motorists that had defied the official use of the essential vehicle items.

    He said the activities of conmen and quacks were telling on the revenue of the state, insisting that if they were not checked, state’s revenue will continue to go wrong persons.

    He said: “In Bayelsa, vehicle number plates are procured and sold by the board of the FRSC in Abuja through its plant in Awka, Anambra State. Every plate that is produced and procured by the board is officially entered into the system.

    “We have our records and the FRSC has its. Anybody’s plate that is not procured by us, as we come out for this exercise, they are severally caught. That is how we get information about the people that are behind the fake numbers. Our intention is for government to stop it and direct them to where to get the original documents.”

     

  • ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ rally ends

    The Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has held the last of its 2014 ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ rallies at Agege Motor Park in Lagos.

    The campaign, which focused on responsible consumption of alcohol, was held in Makurdi (Benue State) Onitsha, (Anambra State) and Port Harcourt (Rivers State).

    The Agege rally attracted the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Customs, Police, Nigerian Army, the National Youth Service Corps and non-governmental organisations.

    Welcoming participants, the Lagos State Sector Commander, FRSC, Hyginus Omeje, reiterated the importance of driving alcohol-free.

    “Alcohol and driving do not go together because alcohol causes loss of attention and driving requires a lot of concentration due to the lives at stake,” he said.

    The NB Plc’s Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Manager, Mrs Emete Tonukari, said the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign was an important part of the company’s Brewing a Better World sustainability journey.

    “We are here to enlighten drivers on the benefits of observing traffic rules and regulations and also for them not to consume any alcoholic product before driving.” They are to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition and to rest adequately before embarking on a journey.  Safety is very important to us and we all have to be safety conscious as we ply the roads.

    The guest speaker, Dr. Oluchi Kanma-Okafor, spoke  on the effects of alcohol on driving, adding that for safety on the roads, drivers must not drink alcohol while on duty.

    The Vice Chairman of Agege Motor Park, Alhaji Fatai Alimi and representative of the Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations, Ikeja, CSC Piyapdat Nicholas also spoke at the rally.

    Highpoints of the campaign included a drama presentation on the adverse effects of drink driving by members of the National Youth Service Corps. Participants also had a free check on their blood pressure as part of the exercise.

    It would be recalled that Nigerian Breweries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps to formalise their terms of engagement on the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign. The campaign which started in 2008 is in its seventh year and has gone round 31 major cities across Nigeria.

  • Six die in Yola accidents

    Six die in Yola accidents

    Six people have died in two road crashes on the Yola/Numan Federal highway in Adamawa State.

    The victims, who were mainly passengers, died in the accidents occurred on Wednesday.

    Federal Road Safety Corp’s (FRSC’s) Head of Operations in Adamawa Command, Deputy Sector Commander Mohammadu Kaigama Kabo said most accidents occurred because most of the motorists were impatient.

    The sector commander attributed the accidents to speeding, adding that the corps had stepped up enlightenment to avert such mishaps.

    He explained that Wednesday’s accidents were among the worst in several months because they occurred within two hours.

    Kabo said: “The day was one of the black days we have had.”

    The FRSC commander said the first accident, which involved a Kano Line commercial bus and a Toyota Picnic, occurred near Hosere village at AFCOT, about 5:30pm.

    He said three passengers died in the accident and eight others were injured.

    Kabo said the second accident, involving a Toyota Starlet car and a Toyota Hiace bus, occurred at Ngurore about 7pm.

    The sector commander said three passengers died and three others were injured.

    He said three of the victims were taken to Numan General Hospital.

    Kabo said one of the occupants of the Toyota Picnic car was burnt beyond recognition.