26 years of FRSC

Last year when we clocked 25, the red carpets rolled while glasses clicked. The drum beats were heard toasting not just in celebration of the Federal Road Safety Corps at 25, but in honor of its numerous strides despite hiccups. At the International Conference held to mark the event, speaker after speaker described the Corps […]

Last year when we clocked 25, the red carpets rolled while glasses clicked. The drum beats were heard toasting not just in celebration of the Federal Road Safety Corps at 25, but in honor of its numerous strides despite hiccups. At the International Conference held to mark the event, speaker after speaker described the Corps as a pride. President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and other dignitaries eulogized the Corps for helping to shape the face of Nigerian roads from what it was in 1988 when annual statistics on road traffic crashes was 25,792 to 2011 when this figure was reduced to 4,765, translating to 82% reduction.
Same last year, I could recall with nostalgia, in 1988 when FRSC operated a 5 Zonal Command structure to the present status of 12 and the movement from its 1st national headquarters in Ibadan to Gbagada in Lagos and final movement to Abuja in 1992. It’s a year since that celebration. Today the Corps has added another year, clocking 26.I am elated to be part of a crop of Nigerians described by Punch Newspaper in one of its editorials as ‘an assemblage of the best road safety experts in sub-Saharan Africa.’ As I reflect on my years in the Corps since porting from the defunct Concord Press Limited over 17 years ago to join the services of the Corps, and God’s divine mercy upon us in striving to meet this mandate, I thought the best way to celebrate 26 years is to run an editorial by ThisDay celebrating the Corps last year.
At 25, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has made more than passing impact on the life of Nigerian road users. The commission’s campaigns have helped in reducing the carnage on our roads and have made travelling by road, especially during festive periods like Sallah and Christmas, less of a nightmare. So all factors considered, the investment has been worth it and the creation of the FRSC by the General Ibrahim Babangida regime can now easily be justified.
The FRSC institutional vision aimed at eradicating road traffic crashes and creating a safe motoring environment received great fillip under its current Corps Marshal, Mr Osita Chidoka. He has gone beyond routine administration to focus on the international profile of the agency, institutional capacity building and operational effectiveness. Today we have a commission with globally acknowledge templates for measureable impact and service outcomes. This is no accident, but the result of a clear institutional focus on operations, people and processes.
Today, there is increased FRSC presence on the highways, with effective preventive patrols and prompt response to road crashes. The toll-free telephone number 122 for road traffic emergencies has created a seamless communication gateway between the Commission and the motoring public, shoring up early reportage of road crashes. The implementation of international vehicle transit charges at selected Nigeria Border posts has also enhanced safety and co-ordination of trans-border movement. This is in addition to the “One Driver One Record” initiative, which allows for tracking and matching a driver with his driver licence, vehicle number plate, insurance and traffic offences in a single view. Meanwhile, the order and control in motor vehicle administration and vehicle insurance management from the FRSC have improved collaboration among security agencies.
The Commission has made great investments in human capital development and has used mostly modern, merit-based templates for staff recruitment. This has gone hand in hand with enhanced staff welfare and improved service delivery. Today we have a Nigerian road using that is better able to appreciate best global road safety practices; including the need for private sector and government involvement in road safety issues.
The on-going robust public advocacy on road crash reduction and intensive routine patrols are fully complemented by effective rescue services; with optimal utilization of IT and re-alignment of operational strategies. The Commission also now has improved process that promote transportation safety regulation, through the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS). This scheme regulates fleet operators having minimum of five vehicles, with records showing that
a. 2, 895 operators are registered
b. 1, 033 operators are inspected and
c. 722 operators certified.
The improved buy-in from fleet operators and enhanced safety standards has created better interface between road use managers and fleet owners.
While we commend the FRSC for its string of successes, beginning with the firm foundation laid by Prof. Wole Soyinka and Dr Olu Agunloye, and mindful of the fact that the Commission was able to convince the National Assembly and the general public on the need for the upgrade of the National Drivers Licence and Number Plates, we believe the fees and charges should be reviewed downwards. It is However, on record that the features introduced in the upgrade licensing scheme has secured Nigerian reciprocity with six European countries and the state of Mary-land in the USA. This allows holders of the new Nigeria drivers licence to replace same with the driver’s licence to replace same with the drivers’ licence of these six European countries and the state of Mary-land, USA.
Over and above the numerous recognitions and international awards it has garnered is the plane fact that the FRSC has come of age, is doing a good job and has some of the best trained staff of all the MDAs in Nigeria. We commend the Commission at 25 and urge the Federal Government to give it all due support and encouragement.