The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FRSC

  • 3,998 offenders convicted

    3,998 offenders convicted

    A Mobile court established for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone RS5 Command, convicted 3,998 traffic offenders in Edo, Delta and Anambra states last year.

    This conviction was from 4,263 traffic offenders prosecuted by the FRSC, in partnership with the judiciary.

    A breakdown showed that 842 were convicted in Edo, 1,471 in Delta and 1,685 in Anambra.

    Akpabio said the FRSC, working with the judiciary, prosecuted the offenders at mobile courts on strategic corridors in the zone.

    The zonal commander listed the corridors where the mobile courts are located as Benin – Ore , Benin – Asaba, Benin –Warri, Asaba- Onitsha, Onitsha-Owerri,Awka- Enugu and Asaba–Benin highways.

    He said the mobile court was established to reduce accidents on the highways and punish traffic violators.

     

  • 15 pupils, four teachers die in Yobe accident

    15 pupils, four teachers die in Yobe accident

    •Two survive as 55 killed in separate incidents

    It was a scene of blood and tears yesterday in Damaturu, Yobe State. This time, it was not a Boko Haram attack. Fifteen pupils and four teachers of a primary school were killed in an accident.

    The school, Shalom Nursery and Primary School, belonged to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Fifty-five persons also died in separate accidents.

    The head of the school, a pastor, was said to have died with the pupils.

    A woman teacher reportedly died with her only son.

    A source told our correspondent the pupils were coming back to Damaturu from the Redemption Camp in Abuja, on a National Annual Competition.

    Two surviving pupils are said to be receiving treatment at the Potiskum General Hospital.

    A mass burial was organised for the children at the accident site, as many were burnt beyond recognition.

    Sympathisers trooped to the victims’ homes to commiserate with their parents.

    Members of the church were milling around the premises waiting for the provincial pastor and parents of the victims, who went for the funeral.

    “This is the first time that our children from Yobe State are participating in this competition and imagine this tragedy that has befallen us,” one of the pastors said.

    The provincial pastor could not be reached for comments.

    Fifty five people died yesterday in two accidents, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.

    FRSC spokesman Yusuf Sani told reporters in Damaturu one of the accidents occurred on Gashua-Garin Alkali road and 20 people (16 women and four men) died.

    The other one, involving three cars, occurred on the Damaturu-Potiskum Road. Thirty-five people died.

    An eyewitness in Gashua said some villagers were returning from the Sunday Market.

    The FRSC spokesman said there were seven survivors.

    Yusuf said the accident was caused by “over speeding and dangerous overtaking.”

    He said: “Twenty people died at Gashua. They were returning from a Sunday market at Garin Alkali. In Damaturu/Potiskum Road, 35 people died, seven survived.

    “The accident was caused by over speeding and over-taking.”

     

  • 55 die in Yobe auto crash

    Fifty five People have died in two separate road crashes in Yobe state in the early hours of Monday, the Federal Road Safety Yobe Command has said.

    The Public Relation Officer of the Corp in Yobe State Yusuf Sani told newsmen in Damaturu that one of the accidents occurred along Gashua-Garin Alkali road and killed 20 people out of whom 16 were women and 4 men while the other one involving three cars occurred on Damaturu-Potiskum causing the death of 35 people.

    An eyewitness in Gashua who spoke with our correspondent on phone informed that the accident happened while some villagers were returning from the Sunday Market in the area.

    On the cause of the accident, Yusuf said it was as a result of “over-speeding and dangerous overtaking.”

    “The accident at Gashua killed 20 people. Out of that number, 16 are women and 4 are men. They were returning from a local Sunday market from Garin Alkali. On the accident along Damaturu/Potiskum Road, 35 people died, only 7 survived,” Sani disclosed.

    The spokesman informed that those who sustained injuries were taken to Damagum General Hospital, adding that the corpses have equally been evacuated to the same hospital.

  • FRSC urges car owners to embrace Vehicle Identification

    FRSC urges car owners to embrace Vehicle Identification

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has advised car owners to embrace the National Vehicle Identification system, saying it was designed to tackle criminality and insecurity in the country.

    The Head, Policy, Research and Statistics Department of the FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, an Assistant Corps Marshal, in Osogbo, Osun State capital during the sensitisation programme of the commission on the National Vehicle Identification system said the registration of vehicles would help the government monitor all the vehicles and the activities of their owners.

    Olagunju said: “Government wants to tackle criminality and thereby wants to have proper and credible information on the identities of vehicles and drivers plying the Nigerian roads. And if vehicles are registered and are properly identified, it would give useful information in resolving any crime that involves the use of such vehicles in the country.

    “The vehicle registration processes would also help FRSC have information and identification of all vehicles in Nigeria and that through information sharing; the commission would equally provide information to security agencies in their bid to solve crimes. The registration system will help protect vehicle owners also as the identify of stolen vehicles will be known once the real owner had already registered his vehicle and thieves are trying to re-register such vehicles.”

  • We ‘ll impound vehicles without new number plates, says FRSC

    We ‘ll impound vehicles without new number plates, says FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said it would from July 1 impound vehicles without the new number plates.

    It said the deadline for the procurement of the new number plates and driving licence remained June 30.

    FRSC’s Assistant Corps Marshal, Administration and Strategy, Operations Department, Mr. Ademola Lawal, spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday.

    Lawal, on tour of the Southsouth to sensitise people on the process of procuring the number plates and driving licence, said nobody would be spared in the enforcement of the new law.

    He said the process of procurement was not difficult and advised vehicle owners against patronising touts.

    Said Lawal: “The enforcement of the use of the new number plates will begin on June 30. Once this starts, nobody, irrespective of his status, will be spared. I urge Nigerians to make use of the available windows to procure theirs.

    “Let me also sound it clearly that the process of procuring a new number plate and driving licence does not waste time as being speculated. It is only those who go through touts that are complaining that the process wastes time.

    “The form you are going to fill is not more than a page. The process is not cumbersome. You can begin registration in your home and go to our website meant for vehicle registration, fill it, print it out and take it to the Board of Internal Revenue in your state for payment. It is as simple as that.”

    According to him, when the implementation commenced, each vehicle impounded would attract N10,000 fine.

    His words: “If you do not have the new number plate when enforcement begins, an offender will be made to pay N10,000 fine. Also, his vehicle will be impounded, pending when he is able to procure the number plate.

    “As for the driving licence, those who did not have licence before are expected to go to an approved driving school in their states. After graduating from such a school, you will take your certificate to the Vehicle Inspection Office where you will be tested on eligibility.”

    Lawal said the price for a driving licence as determined by the Joint Task Board chaired by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service remains N6,350.

    As for number plate, he said the price is N12,500 for those registering a new car, while those replacing old ones are expected to pay N10,000.

    He warned that the era of obtaining driver’s licence and number plates by proxy was over.

     

  • ‘Trucks account for majority of road crashes’

    ‘Trucks account for majority of road crashes’

    Mr. Jonas Agwu, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Corps Commander on Public Education shed lights on the activities of the commission in this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

    DOES the Corps have adequate catalogue of accidents involving articulated trucks?

    Yes. In line with our proactive and intervention strategies, the FRSC had in 2010, rolled out a compendium of an all-inclusive research on the activities and operational mode of tankers and trailers in Nigeria. Taking cognisance of the huge contribution of tankers and trailers to the national economy, our findings in 2010 indicated that about 3,000 tankers were on the average, involved in wet cargo haulage while the same goes for 1,500 trailers for dry cargo conveyance on Nigerian roads. Further collation of road crash data involving articulated vehicles, resulted to a publication of a “stakeholders’ requirements/guidelines for articulated vehicles in Nigeria” in the three major languages as part of measures to achieve optimal impact across the conduct on our advocacy. Through these publications and other subsequent efforts, our findings indicated that trucks account for 30% of road crashes and 42% of fatalities on Nigerian roads.

    What is the average figure for the country?

    Our records as at third quarter of 2013 indicate that 973 road crashes were linked with trucks with 823 deaths and 2,444 injured persons. Under the same period, 6,558 persons were involved with 1,953 trucks also involved. I wish to add here that these figures show a slight reduction from our data of 2009 (Jan-June) with 1,213 road crashes which resulted to 965 deaths and 3,220 injured persons, involving 8,024 people and 1,767 articulated vehicles. We are still committed to reversing this trend through the numerous strategies mentioned earlier.

    What is the remote cause of such accidents?

    Our studies indicate that the remote cause of such road crashes is due to lack of proper maintenance of articulated vehicles because brake failure and loss of control account for most of the crashes. Part of the remote causes can be traced to obstructions by broken down trucks (stationary) which are often abandoned by owners and constitute serious traffic hazards at night. Attitude of the driver also plays a major role in these crashes and this underscores the FRSC concerted efforts through motor park rallies, engagement with transport union members and other forms of advocacy to engender best traffic conduct from drivers of trucks.

    What is the level of awareness about highway codes among motorists?

    Public enlightenment campaigns form part of the FRSC core values, as part of measures to educate road users on proper use of the highways. The Highway Code is a publication which the FRSC has undertaken in the three major languages in order to optimise our efforts towards effective education of road users. In addition, we have executed numerous public enlightenment programmes on radio, television, newspaper publications and do on.

    Beyond 2014 projection, what has the Corps done in the last 12 months to stem the carnage on our roads?

    In line with its proactive measures on road safety management, the FRSC had set its 2013 strategic goals at 30% reduction in fatalities and 20% reduction in road crashes with other initiatives to address the menace of road crashes. Interestingly, last year 2013, we also witnessed improved road rehabilitation and construction across the country. It was therefore ironical that instead of a reduction, road crashes took an upsurge and this can be tied to the speed limit violation among road motorists who see the good roads as direct visa to drive beyond stipulated speed limit. In view of this trend, we in FRSC believe that it is not bad roads that cause road crashes but bad use of the roads. In response to this, the FRSC initiated an ongoing advocacy for the installation of speed limiters on commercial vehicles because our findings indicate that this category of vehicles account for higher number of casualties in road crashes because of two negative blends: speed violation and overloading.

  • FRSC to prosecute motorists with old number plates from July 1

    The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) said it would prosecute motorists with old number plates and drivers licence as from July 1.

    Corps Commander, Clement Oladele, who is the Head, Advisory and Planning Unit of the Corps, said this on Tuesday in Jalingo at a workshop to sensitise motorists on the need to switch over to the new policy.

    Oladele noted that the workshop became necessary given the fact that the June deadline to phase out the old system was fast approaching.

    “Nigerians are aware that Oct 1, 2013 was set as deadline for them to switch over to the new licence and number plate following the launch of the new policy by President GoodLuck Jonathan, but for some reasons the deadline was shifted to June, 2014.

    “As the new date is fast approaching, there is need for us to sensitise and appeal to Nigerians to switch over to the new licence and number plate.

    “We want to let people know that when enforcement commences on July 1, anybody found with the old licence and number plate would be treated as a criminal and would face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

    Oladele also said that the new driver’s licence and number plate were designed with security features which would be used to check crime.

    “The new number plate is tied to an individual and not the vehicle. This implies that if you change your car, you are expected to visit a Motor Licence Agency and do re-validation for your new vehicle.”

    Also speaking, Mr.  Peter Kibo, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, said the sensitisation was a continuous process and appealed to Nigerians to try to obtain the new licence and number plate before the June deadline.

     

  • FRSC yet to identify victims of Sokoto accident

    FRSC yet to identify victims of Sokoto accident

    THE Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) in Sokoto State says it is yet to identify those who died in a road accident at the weekend at Dange along the Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto road.

    The corps public relations officer (PRO), Karatu Ayuba, said yesterday in Sokoto that the commission’s officers had been mobilised to the scene of the accident.

    He said none of the occupants of the car could be saved, and that “the details and the number of the occupants who died in it will be made available later.”

    An eyewitness said that the driver of the car had allegedly rammed into a parked articulated vehicle. He was said to have been driving to Sokoto from Gusau with members of his family at around 8 p.m. on Friday.

  • FRSC man ‘defiles’ minor in Ondo

    FRSC man ‘defiles’ minor in Ondo

    An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Akure, Ondo State, Emmanuel Ilori, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling his colleague’s nine-year-old daughter.

    It was learnt that the incident occurred during Ilori’s visit to Oluwafemi Oguntayo’s (his colleague’s) home.

    Oguntayo was said to have left Ilori and his daughter at home for a brief engagement outside.

    Sources said when Oguntayo returned home, he met the door locked.

    They said he forced the door open and met Ilori allegedly having carnal knowledge of his daughter.

    Oguntayo reported the case at Okuta Elerinla Divisional Police Headquarters. Ilori was arrested and charged to court.

    It was learnt that he had been dismissed by the FRSC.

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the report, adding that investigation was on.

  • ‘Nigerian driver’s licence accepted in Europe, U.S’

    The upgraded Nigerian driver’s licence is recognised in the United States and Europe, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said on Thursday.

    The Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Chidi Nkwonta, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that three states in the U.S and seven countries in Europe accept the licence.

    According to him, the licence is recognised in Maryland, Washington DC and California in the U.S as well as Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Austria and Sweden in Europe.

    “Maryland accepts Nigerian driver’s licence provided it verifies that it is genuine, Washington accepts Nigerian driver’s licence, and California too.

    “We have seven countries already in Europe that accept our driver’s licence, and we are working on other countries in Europe, “ Nkwonta said.

    The commander added that the FRSC was working hard to make sure that the Nigerian driver’s licence is accepted in all states in the U.S.

    He said the data base and identity of the holder of the licence could be accessed in those countries, and that genuineness of the licence could be ascertained.

    Nkwonta said the licence contained several security features that would make it difficult to produce fake copies.