FRSC AT 25: HURDLES AHEAD

But the man on whose shoulder rests the business of piloting the Federal Road Safety Corps to attain the dreams of its founding fathers by making it  a World class organisation, Osita Chidoka, says the road yet to travel is still far. On 18th February, 2013, in a paper titled “FRSC AT 25-THE NEXT 25YEARS”, […]

But the man on whose shoulder rests the business of piloting the Federal Road Safety Corps to attain the dreams of its founding fathers by making it  a World class organisation, Osita Chidoka, says the road yet to travel is still far. On 18th February, 2013, in a paper titled “FRSC AT 25-THE NEXT 25YEARS”, he recounted the 25-year journey.  From a crash record of about 25,000 crashes per year prior to 1988, when the World Health Organization adjudged Nigeria as the worst in sub-Saharan Africa, only second to Ethiopia, to about 5,000crashes in 2012, when the World Bank says FRSC is the best model of a lead agency  in sub-Saharan Africa, the Corps Marshals believes the Corps can do better in its next 25 years.
In his presentation, Chidoka recalled  the strategic road map set in motion by the Corps, such as the introduction of a model call centre and toll free 122 emergency line, establishment of emergency ambulance services, Federal Executive Council approval of a standard school bus whose enforcement takes effect in 2013, FEC approval of the infusion of road safety in school curriculum, strict implementation of driving standards, regulation of commercial  transportation through the road transport safety standardization scheme and the development of a national road safety strategy which has led to the setting up of a Ministerial sub-committee.
 The challenges ahead  perhaps underpin the low profile silver jubilee that focused more on how to make Nigeria and Africa truly crash free in the next 25 years, rather than fanfares when the country is yet to hit the zero target set by the Corps or the 50percent fatality reduction set by the United Nations. During the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, a novelty was set with two unique sessions: a presidential and a legislative dialogue as platforms to truly engage all stakeholders in addressing the crash trend in the country and in Africa. Besides this, the breakaway sessions focused on the five pillars of the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety-Road Safety Management, Safer roads and Mobility, Safer vehicles, safer road users and post-crash response.
 The presidential dialogue boasted such panelists as President Goodluck Jonathan, General Ibrahim  Babaginda, (rtd), Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Dr Muazu Aliyu Babangida of Niger and Dr Kit Mitchell of the CHARTERED Institute of Highway and Transportation, RAC, Foundation, London. At the legislative dialogue the panelists included Senate President, David Mark, Deputy Speaker, Hon Chukwuemeka Nkem Ihedioha, Okey Wali, President, Nigerian Bar Association, Joop Goos, President, International Road Safety Organisation, Prof Isreal Olufemi Taiwo, DG Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN and Dr Alex Izinyon SAN. After the one day jaw jaw, a plan of action was reached. Perhaps for better understanding, it would be needful to present the plan of action verbatim as it was recorded during the conference:
 The Conference on Road Safety in Africa organized to mark the 25th Anniversary of the FRSC in Nigeria and help chart a new course for mainstreaming Road Safety practice in Africa with a view to meeting global best standards. A total number of nine hundred and sixty five (965) participations attended the Conference.
The Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria (FRSC) and International Road Federation (IRF) in collaboration with Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF), the World Bank (WB) and Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) organized an International Conference on Road Safety in Africa to mark the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of Nigeria’s lead road safety agency,  the Federal Road Safety Corps, with the aim of preparing local strategies that meet international best practices in managing Africa’s road safety.
 •      As a strategy to increase the life span of road in Nigerian, it is important to construct roads that meet international standards with provision for complementary infrastructure such as pedestrian walkways, drainages and weighbridges.
•      Conscious effort should be made to encourage effective and enduring collaboration between federal and State governments and Ministries of Works and Transport.
• The issue of State Government effective rehabilitation of Federal Roads in their domain was considered necessary and useful. It is however recommended that the Federal Government after due reconciliation of bills arising from such projects should reimburse the State Governments involved adequately and timely too.There is need for the introduction of speed limits for convoys of Government functionaries and driver without appropriate form of certification should not be allowed to drive.
• Parents and wealthy individuals should exercise restraints in indulging their underage children and wards with vehicles.
•  State governments shroud collaborate with the FRSC in establishment of State Traffic Agencies, harmonized Traffic Regulations and track down offenders committing offences as street trading and over-speeding and other traffic offences.
• The Transport system in Nigeria is predominantly road-driven and this places heavy dependence on the road infrastructure resulting in high incidences of road crashes leading to injuries and fatalities and other losses.
•      There is need to adopt the ‘’safe – System Approach’’ in road safety such that bio-mechanical unit of human body to surviving crash types up to certain impact speeds is achieved.
• Road infrastructure determines the likelihood of an accident and protects cars occupants from being severely injured/killed.
•      The Federal Government of Nigerian should encourage auto-manufacturers to maintain strong safety standards in Nigeria.
•      FRSC and officials of Federal Ministry Works should collaborate in conceptualizing and designing of our roads to captures the need of physically-challenged persons.
•      The legislation for the various forms of Distracting Driving is not adequate. There should be a legislative framework for adequate punishment for all categories of violators of distractive driving.
•      The envisage National Dashboard should be able to proffer solution to numerous black spots and other unsafe situations across the country.
•      Some factors militating against effective emergency response include: Hospital rejection of road crash victims, inadequate rescue and response equipment, lack/inadequacy of information research and development on Road Safety.
•      For effective emergency response, planning team work with transport unions such as NARTO,NURTW is desirable and such rescue workers should be trained and retrained.
•      A legislative dialogue considered the necessity for harmonizing the various conflicting traffic rules and regulation nationwide as panacea for ensuring suitable road safety management. This should be in consonance with the expectation from a dedicated Lead Agency as recommended by the UN/WHO is adequately funded (including dedicating specified percentages from road tax, petroleum, telecommunications, alcohol and beverages levies) and empowered by law to coordinate road safety.

CONCLUSION
The Organizers appreciate the foresight of the Federal Government on Nigeria establishing the Federal Road Safety Corps 25 years ago and the continued commitment of the Corps which has earned it international recognition especially in the recent World Bank recognizing Federal Road Safety Corps , Nigeria as the best example of Road Safety Lead Agency in Africa.