The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Road Safety

  • Wike rejects Customs’ appeal on revoked land

    Wike rejects Customs’ appeal on revoked land

    Minister, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday rejected the appeal of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), to reconsider the revocation of its land.

    Wike told a delegation of the NCS, led by the Acting Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, who paid a courtesy visit to his office that the Service would have to pay penalties, to reclaim the land.

    The minister faulted the failure of the NCS to develop the land after it had been given by the FCT, adding that when the certificate of ownership of the land is reissued, the service must also pay ground rent.

    He said: “Frankly speaking, we’ll look at it and see what we can do. Whether you are going to pay a penalty, you’ll pay a penalty. That is what we are going to do.”

    Wike however approved a piece of land for the establishment of primary and secondary schools, for children of staff of the Nigerian Customs Service in the Federal Capital Territory.

    He said the approval would be on the condition that the NCS would commit to developing the land within a time frame, failure of which would lead to the repossession of the given land.

    Wike: “Be rest assured that I am going to approve the land for the school. You bring the application; I will sign it and give it to the Director of Lands to give you the land that you can use. Schools are very important. It is not only the children of customs officers that will attend the schools.

    Read Also: Wike promises improved quality healthcare services in FCT

    “My policy now is that before we give land to any agency, it must commit that it will develop the land within a certain number of years, and if not, the FCT should take back the land. I will not allocate land that will lay till thy kingdom come. So, you must convince me that you are indeed serious about building schools for the children of your staff and our children.”

    He also said the approval would be on the condition that the Custom boss, agrees to pay the ground rent as and when due, adding that there would be no given notice for the payment of ground rents.

    Earlier, the Acting CG of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate Wike on his appointment as FCT Minister, and his achievements so far.

    He described the Customs Service, as a critical stakeholder in the FCT, as up to 2,500 officers lived and contributed to the development of the FCT, while however stating that officers’ children could not access public schools and were under pressure from private schools, hence the request for land to build primary and secondary schools for children of staff.

  • NOSL trains 40 students in road safety culture in Lagos

    NOSL trains 40 students in road safety culture in Lagos

    Road safety is a shared responsibility involving all citizens, Head of Lagos Island Unit Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Route Commander, Philip Ogar, has said.

    He spoke when Natural Oilfield Services took 40 pupils of Victoria Island Secondary School, Lagos, on road safety training.

    Ogar said children can promote safer road culture by learning skills and tips they could impart to parents.

    “By exchanging best road practices with the pupils, we can tackle challenges on the road and make progress in easing road accidents.”

    Read Also: Automobiles, Road Safety Initiative unveils training institute

    He said children become unfortunate casualties in road accident due to a lack of awareness, hence the need for enlightenment.

    Former Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Education, Mrs. Adetola Salau, said accidents occur due to negligence. 

    “We need to have zero victims on roads. So, let us ensure road safety and save lives,” she said.

    She said educating the younger generation is proactive for preventing accidents.

    Headteacher, Mrs. Alimi Yusuf, praised the oil firm for the initiative. 

    NOSL promotes road safety and creates safe and secure road safety protocols.

  • Road safety: In search of a model city

    In Nigeria, there are model schools established by the Federal and state governments. Though most of the model schools are not model in the real sense of it, the idea behind their establishment is lofty. It is to make such schools a good example in all ramifications for other schools to emulate.

    It is disheartening that the 2018 Global Road Safety Report and the report by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) revealed an increase in road traffic crashes. More worrisome is the fact that most of the state and local governments have not seen nor understood their unique roles in the prevention of road traffic crashes, injuries and death. The Federal Government also has not clearly demonstrated leadership in road safety in the country.

    The number of people killed in road accidents yearly are more than those killed by Boko Haram insurgents and HIV/AIDS combined, yet the attention being given to road safety issues is far less. Consequent upon the choice of LEADERSHIP as the theme of this year’s Road Safety Week by the United Nations/WorldHealth Organisation, I use this platform to plead with the federal, state and local governments and their relevant agencies as well as the civil society organisations to get much more committed to the fight against accidents on the roads.

    Furthermore, there is an urgent need for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to make Abuja Municipality a model in road safety. This includes good roads and road networks (it has a high mark in this already), adequate traffic signs and road markings(much still need to be done), adequate and functional traffic lights(a lot still need to be done), traffic management(very poor), modern and organised Public Transportation system(very poor), automated traffic law enforcement(non-existent and the  enforcement system is a thuggery type which without doubt is a great blemish to the status of the FCT), automated speed monitoring device (non-existent), automated fines and payment control system(non-existent and the practice of removing vehicle plate number as a strategy for compelling traffic offenders to show up to pay fines or bribe is a disgrace to road traffic administration), automated road security system (although security in the municipal area is fair, the absence of functional CCTV cameras has shifted the FCT backward to near the achulian or dark age. The presence of functional CCTV Cameras at strategic locations will both help the traffic safety and security systems), and quality driver education and regular result-orientedpublic enlightenment(still far from required), among others.

    The situation in the capitals and major cities of the states is worse than the one in the FCT. Lagos State is, however, attempting to take steps to address a few of the issues with increased seriousness. The state governments also need to start by having model cities or smart cities which can pass the global test of road safety anytime.

    An unbiased assessment of the above – listed parameters is a clear attestation to the fact that the country is still very far from taking proactive steps to significantly reduce the rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities as contained in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety,  the Accra Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goal 3.6.

    In the face of these road safety challenges, the Road Safety Strategy is still far from being well implemented.

    Governments at all levels together with their relevant agencies need to stop paying leap service to road safety adminstration and traffic management and get more committed with wholesome involvement of all the stakeholders to drastically reduce the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on  the roads.

  • Wapic unveils campaign on road safety

    Disturbed by the high rate of accidents, Wapic Insurance Plc has kicked off a campaign aimed at restoring discipline on our roads.

    In a statement, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adeyinka Adekoya, said the campaign, tagged “Road Sense” is a three-month long advocacy aimed at encouraging and entrenching safe-road use culture in Nigerians.

    Specifically, the digital instructive awareness drive is expected to promote knowledge of the road signs and encourage the various categories of road users to respect the meanings of the signs on  the roads, she said.

    She reiterated that the programme is an attitudinal-change online campaign to promote safety on roads.

    She said: “The initiative is sequel to the highly successful “Safety-on-Wheels” campaign executed by Wapic in partnership with some notable government and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) in February. Unlike the Safety-On-Wheels campaign, which enlightened over 1000 drivers about safe road-use practices, importance of adherence to road traffic regulations and appropriate road as well as vehicle maintenance cultures, “Road-Sense” seeks to reach a broader audience across the different demographics.

    “Many road users do not really know the rules of the road or understand the signs. This results in bad driving habits as well as inappropriate road-use culture that cause accidents. Wapic is a vociferous advocate of proactive risk avoidance. The underwriting firm, which boasts an enviable record of claims payment, is a prime promoter of initiatives that empower people with relevant knowledge and apposite skills that reduce road accidents in Nigeria.

    “As a socially responsible corporate citizen with focus on health, education, social empowerment and environment, Wapic is nationally and internationally acknowledged for its defining roles and social interventions that have consistently enhanced the quality of living and humanity. Through its numerous interventions, the company is committed to driving social progression and instituting safe-road use culture in Nigerians, by ensuring that motorists, passengers and pedestrians have adequate knowledge about road-use commandments that guide traffic interactions.’’

  • Inadequate focus on road safety

    on May 29, President   Muhammadu Buhari presented a  laudable Democracy Day speech. Among the long list of the achievements of his government, he mentioned how the activities of Boko Haram have been curtailed, how peace has been restored to the Niger Delta region and the efforts of the government to checkmate the farmers-herdsmen killings.

    It is, however, disheartening that no mention was made about the challenges of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in Nigeria and what the government has done or is doing to address the challenges.

    The number of people that road accident killed and maimed in a year is more than the number of those killed and maimed by the Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen and HIV/AIDS put together in the same year.

    I am not saying that the government is doing nothing about road safety issues because as the National President of the Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria (a coalition of driving schools), I am aware of the commendable activities of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), some state governments and other stakeholders for promoting safety on the roads.

    It is, however, disheartening that the Federal, state, and local government Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms are not publicly displaying that they are truly committed to reducing the carnage on  the roads. I have attended several road safety events where most of the government functionaries invited, only sent representatives with an excuse that they went for more pressing assignments. Which other assignment can be more pressing than saving lives?

    Some state governments have been encouraging shortcuts and other anomalies at the driver licence centres under the guise that they want a boost in revenue generation, thereby fuelling the rate at which untrained and half-baked drivers are getting driver licence in Nigeria. The recent resolutions by the Senate and House of Representatives are pointers to these facts which must not be swept under the carpets.

    Over 80 percent of road accidents were attributed to the human factors (drivers ) yet the driving schools responsible for the training and empowerment of the drivers have not been getting any support from the Federal and state governments to enable us improve on our delivery of quality driver education in all the states and FCT.

    It is time for President  Buhari and the governors to make public pronouncements to Nigerians to know what damages road accidents are doing to their lives, families, businesses, communities, economy and the nation as a whole.

    Nigerians want to know how concerned and committed the government is in finding solution to the pandemic of road accidents, injuries and deaths. If Boko Haram and herdsmen killings are getting government’s attention, road accident which is rampant and more devastating nationwide than these must get more government attention.

    Nigerians are also waiting to see more proactive policies and actions to reduce the loss of irreparable lives and valuable properties on the roads.

  • Law enforcement and road safety

    Without doubt, the rate of traffic law enforcement in Nigeria is very low. Another disturbing trend is the wrong form of enforcement.

    Sometime ago, I boarded a taxi in Abuja and as we proceded, a man suddenly passed and crossed the taxi with his car and ordered the driver to come out. Like a film, I was watching the scene. I knew quite right that it cannot be an armed robbery case with the level of security in that part of Abuja.

    The man then drew my attention to the plate number at the back of the taxi. It was part of a telephone number. He moved to the front of the taxi, there was no single number. After a brief interrogation, the taxi driver brought out a document from one of the FCT Area Council where it was clearly written that the plate numbers of the taxi were removed till the driver settles the bill for the offence he committed.

    The question now is, how can the taxi be identified if he commits any offence without plate numbers? Such mode of law enforcement will only succeed in promoting criminality.Drivers know that they cannot be identified, thus they could be more aggressive in their driving.

    Today, there are many motorcycles moving around without plate numbers. If CCTV cameras are even installed, how many vital information will they pick without the plate numbers of vehicles?

    Law enforcement and traffic management officers should stop  removing the plate numbers of vehicles as punishment.They should also desist from pursuing drivers on the road in a bid to arrest them. Struggling to take over the control of a vehicle or removing the key of a vehicle in motion should be stopped forthwith.These and allied enforcement habits do create more problems than they are trying to solve.

    The Federal Road Safety Commission and the state governments (including FCT) should look into the need to institutionalise the use of vehicle plate numbers with chips compatible with CCTV camera and other security apparatus. This will ensure effective traffic law enforcement without causing safety and security risks.

  • FRSC at 30 and road safety in Nigeria

    FRSC at 30 and road safety in Nigeria

    Between February 18, 1988 when the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) was established and February 18, 2018 (30 Years), the Agency has achieved a great feat, particularly in the past three years. Without doubt, the FRSC has made a remarkable landmark in the following areas among others:

    • Response to Emergencies: Frsc has been very prompt in responding to emergencies concerning road traffic crashes and other disasters. The 122 emergency number of FRSC is a 24 – hour response number, which has been very active.
    • Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP): Despite the fact that the process is still ongoing, the FRSC has performed remarkably well in establishing an effective collaboration with the relevant state government agencies, state Ministries of Transportation/Works, VIOs (VIS in Lagos State,) State Board of Internal Revenue (MVAA in Lagos State), state Traffic management authorities and the Association of Driving Instructors of Nigeria (a coalition of Driving Schools in Nigeria) to oversee the establishment and operation of Driving Schools in Nigeria.
    • Graduated driver licence scheme: Hitherto, it was very easy for someone to sit at home, send his passport photograph to the Driver Licence Centre and his Driver Licence will be delivered to him at home in a matter of hours or days. With the efforts of the visionary and indefatigable Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi and his amiable Deputy Corps Marshal, Mr Kab Lawal, it is practically impossible for anybody to get the Nigeria Driver Licence without going through the driving schools. Actions are currently ongoing towards the elimination of the anomalies being perpetrated by some corrupt officers and their cronies in some Driving Schools.
    • Traffic Management: FRSC has been up and doing in the areas of the removal of obstructions on the highways, control of traffic flow, monitoring of the speed and compliance of motorists to the National Road Traffic Regulations.

    However there is a need for FRSC to take more proactive actions in the following areas:

    • Share experience with the Vehicle Inspection Officers (Vehicle Inspection Service Department in Lagos State) for the compulsory structured theory and practical tests to ensure that the Nigeria Driver Licence is issued only to candidates, who are properly trained in the Accredited Driving Schools and properly Tested without bias by the VIOs.
    • Increase the collaboration with other stakeholders, particularly through a regular stakeholder’s forum as already promised by the Corps Marshal to eliminate the information gap.
    • The state governments and the FCT should be more proactive and increase their level of cooperation with the FRSC to eliminate the current cat and rat system of collaboration, which has been working against the progress of Road Safety Administration and subsequently the accomplishment of the pillars of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety in Nigeria(2010-2020).
    • Improve data collection, especially through effective collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and also accelerate Accident Investigation and Reporting in Nigeria.

    The Federal Government should provide more funds for the operation of FRSC while state governments should also increase the funding of their Traffic Management Agencies to further compliment the efforts of FRSC.

    In a nutshell, the FRSC has performed enormously well as the lead Agency in Road Safety Administration in Nigeria and Nigerians look forward for more accomplishments in the coming years.

  • Aircraft standards and road safety

    Some years back, there were plane crashes in Nigeria with highly devastating effects on families and the nation.

    These incidents led the Federal Government to enforce the standardisation of airline operation, particularly calling for the phasing out of very old or substandard aircrafts in the country. Between then and now, Nigeria has not witnessed serious plane crashes except near crashes.

    It is, however, disheartening that the Federal Government has again become complacent in the regulation or enforcement of standards in the airline industry. I recently boarded an aircraft and the interior was not better than the olden day’s luxury bus (or glorified molue bus).

    Apart from the tattered body (interior) and seat leather, the leg room was so tight that a flight of just1hour can lead to joint and back pains.

    Immediately I entered the aircraft, I wiped my face to be sure I was not in the dream and I also looked through the side glass to see the airport environment to assure myself that I was neither in a luxury, not a molue bus. I then proceeded to pray for journey mercy. The sound of the aircraft at take-off was not the sound I’m used to of standard aircraft.

    Similarly, many of the luxury and smaller buses owned by the transport companies and some  transporters are more or less moving caskets. It is time for our government officials to pay attention to details to ensure the safety of the lives of the citizens they sworn an oath to protect.

    Considering the harsh economic situation, we cannot so much blame the airline operators or the road transport operators. Without doubt, there is a great mismatch between the cost of operation and income of the air and road transport operators. So many of them are making losses and struggling to survive while some have packed off.

    Consequent upon the fact that a large percentage of Nigerians travel by air and road, there is a need for the federal, state and local governments to get more interested in measures that can be taken to provide financial and institutional supports to the airlines and road transport operators. These proactive actions will go a long way to prevent air and road disasters with the resultant loss of lives in the country.

    The President, governors and officers of the relevant ministries, departments and agencies must not fold their arms watching the degeneration in the air and land transportation. They must not wait till more devastating disasters occur before waking up to the challenges again as it happened in the past. A stitch in time they say, saves nine.

    I would like to also suggest that the Federal Government should organise a meeting with the airlines and the major land transport operators to assess the situation, identify the challenges and take proactive actions to forestall the imminent disasters and further loss of lives in the sectors.

  • FRSC arrests 350 unlicenced drivers in Plateau

    FRSC arrests 350 unlicenced drivers in Plateau

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau, says it has arrested 350 unlicensed drivers during its special patrol on the highways in the state.

    The sector Commander, Mrs Pat Emordi, made this known on Sunday in Jos.

    The Command had on Oct 4 begun a special patrol to ensure unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles keep away from highways in the state.

    According Emordi, the affected drivers have been sent to various driving schools within the state, “for proper training that would qualify them to obtained valid licences.’’

    “This special patrol we initiated is really yielding positive result for us.
    “I assure you, until they are done with their training and the right is done, their vehicles will remain with us.

    “Road safety is everyone’s business and we believe that if all of us have the right attitude towards driving, our roads will be safer, “she said.

    Emordi called on drivers in the state to abide by the rules and regulations on driving and keep the roads safe. (NAN)

  • Delta committed to road safety strategy, says commissioner

    Delta State Transport Commissioner Mr. Vincent Uduaghan has said the government is committed to the successful implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS).

    Uduaghan spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja against the backdrop of the inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NARSAC).

    Delta represents Southsouth in the 24-member NARSAC charged with implementing the NRSS. It is chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    NRSS is a platform for an integrated national approach toward reduction of deaths, injuries and damages to property arising from road accidents.

    Among other objectives, it is targeting 35 per cent reduction in road accident fatalities by 2018 in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011 to 2020).

    TWG, with members from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and state vehicle administration and traffic management agencies, among other bodies, will execute NRSS on behalf of NARSAC.

    Each member of the group is assigned roles and responsibilities, which demand commitment for the objective of NRSS to be realised.

    Uduaghan said: “You can’t toy with human lives, which are wasted in avoidable accidents across the country on a daily basis.

    “I assure the Federal Government and Deltans of the state government’s commitment to its responsibilities in this project for safer roads in Delta and the nation at large.”

    He disclosed plans to expand operations of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA).

    DESTMA, inaugurated by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in April last year, operates in Asaba, Warri, Effurun and Ughelli.

    Modelled after Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), it checks gridlocks.

    “I must hail the effort of the governor, who approved the setting up of DESTMA, whose pilot phase in Asaba, Warri and Ughelli has done well in policy coordination and traffic management and control.

    “We will soon expand its operations to other parts of the state. NRSS is a good platform to strength our collaboration with FRSC and other stakeholders for safer roads in Delta State,’’ Uduaghan said.