As staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) nationwide gear up for the end of year special patrol activities, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has warned road travelers against traffic violation, saying the Corps would not hesitate to invoke its powers to bring perpetrators to book. He handed the warning while declaring open the 2018 fourth quarter strategy session organised to evaluate the successes and challenges in the 2018 strategic goals set by the Corps and to find ameliorative measures towards ensuring that observed gaps are closed and end of year special patrol activities nationwide are successful.

The Corps Marshal in his opening address, lauded the Commanding Officers for managing the affairs of their commands with innovativeness, resilience and skills, noting that FRSC Management will not condone failure or accept excuses for lapses in any of the commands across the country. He described as “commendable” the resilience shown by the Commanding Officers in holding forth the affairs of their commands, noting that such efforts would not go unnoticed.

He specially commended them for displaying excellence and comportment during the recent recruitment exercise in their various commands, disclosing that the last phase of the exercise is being handled at the National Headquarters. The Corps Marshal further expressed delight at the level of support being given to the Corps by the federal government, saying it is indicative of the confidence the government reposes in the organisation. “There is no gainsaying that FRSC is one of the most appreciated government organisations in Nigeria today,” he stated.

The FRSC Boss restated the commitment of the Management to pursuing the vision of the Corps and gave specific examples of the 3 permanent office structures that had been built and commissioned in Oyo, Ekiti and Kano in the last three months of the year with Kogi state sector command being scheduled for commissioning next week while 3 others are in advanced stages of completion.

He further noted that while promotion of senior officers on the ranks of Corps Commanders and Assistant Corps Marshals had been released by the Commission, that of Deputy Route Commanders to Deputy Corps Commanders as well as those of the Marshals are at the last stages of consideration this week. He reeled out some of the feats achieved by the FRSC in the outgoing year to include appointment of Nigeria as a member of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Road Safety Fund, representing Africa, the presidential assent to the 1968 UN convention on Road Traffic Signs and Signals and deposition of the instruments in October this year, including the formal commissioning of the signage production centre which was to give effect to the convention, signifying Nigeria’s commitment to complying with the provisions of the UN convention on traffic signs and signals.

“The Corps has equally received the FRSC Traffic Radio Licence from the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). It is envisaged that the radio station will be on air in the first quarters of 2019,” he stated.

On quality management system certification, the Corps Marshal disclosed that there is an ongoing effort to upgrade the present ISO 9001:2008 to the new version, ISO 9001:2015 which is at the final stage of auditing by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). He also disclosed that the FRSC Establishment Act 2007 is currently under review by the National Assembly to bring the operations of the Corps in tandem with global best practice in road traffic management and administration.

Towards the success of the end of year special patrols, the Corps Marshal disclosed that Management has approved the establishment of 30 Road Camps along 36 designated corridors across the country. He added that all roadside clinics and emergency Rescue Ambulance Scheme have been activated, while Emergency First Respondents Scheme members have been mobilised and the field commands directed to ensure effective collaboration with critical stakeholders at various levels for the success of the operations. “Already, a total of 201 Mobile Courts have been put on notice to sit throughout the operation period,” he added.

On 2019 general elections, the Corps Marshal reminded the Commanding Officers of their critical roles in ensuring a successful exercise, taking cognisance of the fact that FRSC is a member of the Consultative Committee on Election Matters being coordinated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Towards supporting the INEC for a successful exercise, the Corps Marshal directed that necessary stocks of the Corps’ logistics, evaluation of traffic flows as well as security situations of their areas be carefully taken and monitored as they collaborate with other security agencies.

He called on all staff of the Corps across the country to rise up to the occasion in justifying the national confidence in the Corps, promising that Management will remain vigilant in rewarding excellence but will punish indolence. The Corps Marshal urged the participants to share their experiences with one another and contribute ideas that could make the end of year’s operational activities and next year’s programmes successful.

The FRSC Commanding Officers’ Fourth Quarter 2018 Strategy Session was organised for proper evaluation of the Corps’ activities in the outgoing year and setting out of agenda for next year. Participants included members Management team, Zonal Commanding Officers from the 12 Zonal Commands and Sector Commanders from the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.