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 acknowledged templates for measurable 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 populace 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 intensified routine patrols are fully complemented by effective rescue services; with optimal utilisation of IT and re-alignment of operational strategies. The Commission also now has improved processes that promote transportation safety regulation, through the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS). This scheme regulates fleet operators having a minimum of five vehicles, with records showing that: (1) 2,895 operators are registered; (2) 1033 operators are inspected; and (3) 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 upgraded licensing scheme has secured Nigeria 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 drivers’ licenses 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment