When the Federal Road Safety Commission was established in 1988 through a military Decree that has since been harmonized as the FRSC Establishment Act 2007 under the civil democratic rule, the Corps was eulogised for having a disciplined workforce and high level of civility and professionalism that heralds its operations on the highways.
And with the coming of the third career officer to head the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC after Boboye Oyeyemi and Dauda A. Biu, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, the tide has changed for good as from the time he took over and now there is a new breath of life in the FRSC.
The Prince from Zaz’zau has a philosophy that humility is the solid foundation of all virtues. The Sulukin Arewan Zaz’zau, is a gentleman to the core who has a mission to change and improve the fortunes of FRSC in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu led administration.
Within the short span that he is holding forth, Shehu Mohammed has proved to everyone that he has the Midas touch as new ideas are being spurned out every now and then.
He is a young man in a hurry but resolute and focus to write his name in gold. He is bowing to the overpowering zeal to serve humanity. His strength of character and no-nonsense reputation for getting results is not in doubt.
With assemblage of professionals around him, he is willing and ready to change the narrative of FRSC especially in areas of operational strategies and human development.
In its digital transformation in the operation of the Corps he has ensured the establishment of Technical Advisory Unit TAU to combine with the Corps Information Technology Office CITO for improved operations.
Shehu Mohammed has also commenced the digitalization of FRSC operations and to promote ease of doing business.
The Corps under his supervision has also introduced digital equipments into its patrol activities which is commendable.
He came with a six-point agenda and topmost amongst them is the conviction by the Corps Marshal to holistically X-ray policies, processes, and actions that would engender safe road use which will impact on the developmental strides of the federal government.
Being a strong advocate of employee relations, the Corps Marshal believes that welfare is a great source of motivation. He has taken another significant step in improving staff welfare following his approval of the conversion of 1395 personnel from Marshal cadre to Officers cadre.
At no time in the staff capacity development history and welfare programmes of the Federal Road Safety Corps had a Corps Marshal been this bold, deliberate and courageous in implementing the policy on conversion and harmonization of Marshals ranks to Officers’ equivalent, the way Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, FCA, FCTI, CPFA, FCTIN has done without equivocation and easiness.
He emphasised that the gesture which is first of its kind in the history of the Corps will definitely add a huge value, not only to FRSC, but to the economic development of the Nation.
The decision to convert the 646 Assistant Route Commanders, 407 Deputy Route Commanders, 109 Route Commanders, and 233 Superintendent Route Commanders aligns with his policy thrust aimed at repositioning the Corps for optimal performance and ease of doing business.
This development speaks volume of his administration’s commitment to enhancing the well-being and career advancement of FRSC personnel; as well as his focus on strategic repositioning.
The history of the Federal Road Safety Corps cannot be accurately told without making reference to the state of the road transportation system, the behavioural pattern of the Nigerian drivers, as well as the devastating effect of traffic crashes on the roads before the establishment of the Corps.
In addition to the foregoing, rescue operations were completely nonexistent thereby leading to waste of lives that would have been saved as a result of prompt attention. To this end, drivers drove recklessly within the speed limit that appealed most to them without any form of regulation whatsoever.
Shehu Mohammed has tagged as not only avoidable and preventable, but highly condemnable, the fatal crashes that normally occurred if the driver had observed established legal speed limits, ensured adequate vehicle maintenance and complied with traffic regulations.
While sighting instances of how bad driving behaviours led to avoidable road crashes, the Corps Marshal maintained that if drivers do the right thing, issues relating to crashes and fatalities will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
He stated that the enormous responsibility of keeping the roads safe rests on the shoulders of everyone, as such, called on transport Unions, fleet operators and other vehicle owners to sensitise their drivers on the imperatives of ensuring routine and regular maintenance of their vehicles.
The Corps is awake to its responsibilities; and is all out to ensure that passengers are aware of their rights. That is why the Corps Marshal is keen on passenger education as a vital component of the quest for zero crashes/fatalities on Nigerian roads.
He believes that by empowering passengers with knowledge, the Corps can significantly eradicate road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roads.
In line with his administration’s proactive approach towards contributing to enhancing national security, the Corps Marshal, has directed the immediate clampdown on confirmed cases of proliferation of fake Diplomatic and other unauthorized number plates as seen on some vehicles plying Nigerian roads.
These identified number plates are fraudulently produced by suspected criminals as they were neither produced by any of the production plants of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the country nor issued by the Motor Licensing Authorities of States.
The proposal to arm officers of the Federal Road Safety Corp has been a hot-button topic for some time now. Of course, it has generated a sea of opinion — some in support and others on the opposing side.
For those in support, it’s an idea whose time has come and a matter of necessity. Those who oppose the arming of road safety officers argue that there’s a proliferation of small and light arms amongst various security agencies — with overlapping functions — and with the attendant risk of abuse.
While the opinion of those who are against the arming of some select officers of the federal road safety corps is not without basis — which is generally hinged on the fear of potential abuse, this set of people ignore the extremely difficult and challenging work environment the officers of the FRSC are forced to helplessly contend with.
When the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan gave approval for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to carry arms, the condemnation from naysayers and detractors echoed around the nation
Now more than ever, considering how stressed and strained the security architecture of the country has become and the reality of officers of the FRSC now engaged in joint operations with other security agencies in the country, it’s only logical for the men and women of the Corps to be armed to complement the efforts of sister agencies and most importantly, to adequately defend themselves in life-threatening situations on the highways of the country.
There’s no gain saying that the opposition to the proposed amendment to the FRSC act will be relentless and vicious, but there is no best time to do what is right.
The same power and privileges our law have bestowed upon the Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Custom Service and NSCDC should be bestowed upon the FRSC too.
The FRSC amendment bill also seeks to effect positive changes in the leadership structure of the Corps by keeping the appointment of the Corps Marshal within the agency, enhancing the welfare of persons on the rank of Deputy Corps Marshall; and also seeks to mandate the Corps to educate drivers, motorists and other members of the public on the proper use of public roads and other related matters.
In September at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, Abuja there was the innovative launch of the FRSC Mobile App and the National Crash Reporting Information System NACRIS.
He said that the new schemes would be utilised as additional operational tools for effective intervention in road safety administration in the country.
He said the launching of the FRSC Mobile App and the NACRIS is simply a deliberate effort by the Corps to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration.
While the NACRIS is designed to promote a multi -sectoral approach to crash reporting and data storage, “we are all aware that globally, decision makers rely on accuracy and reliability of data to arrive at informed decisions.”
Despite this modest achievement, the Corps Marshall however said “we in FRSC still believe that there is still room for improvement and development especially against the current global trend in digital economy.”
Just seven months, see the landmark achievements and yet he is still counting.
■ Abdul wrote in from Abuja via abduljelil2001@gmail.com
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