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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been commended for its huge investment in information technology to drive its operations.
The Director General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga, gave the commendation Thursday, while paying a courtesy visit on the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, at the National Headquarters of the Corps in Abuja.
Onanuga, who observed that the Corps technological platform is comparable to the best anywhere in the world, while being taken round the FRSC facilities at the Information Technology Centre (ITC), expressed admiration at the level of digitalisation of the FRSC.
He noted that the array of technological platforms lined up to manage its operations has distinguished it as a digitalised organisation.
“I have never known that FRSC has these sophisticated technological platforms that drive its operations until my visit today. What we have seen surpassed my expectation of FRSC, and I want to implore the leadership to sustain the commitment,” he stated.
According to Onanuga, his visit to the FRSC has opened his eyes to the realities of what the Corps has in stock for its management of the nation’s road, stressing that the experience has challenged him to explore more in technology in his management of NAN.
“FRSC has done very well. I am sure it has done beyond the expectations of even the founding fathers. What it needs is sustained commitment; but I am convinced that from what I have seen here, it would be sustained, “ he stated.
While applauding the FRSC for its effective use of NAN platforms to disseminate prompt information on road safety, the Director General expressed the willingness of his Agency to sustain the partnership between the two agencies in the efforts to inform members of the public on what the FRSC is doing to create public awareness on safer road environment.
The NAN Boss made a number of recommendations to the FRSC to ensure its operational success. These includes need to ensure effective monitoring of speed on all roads including road monitoring in the night. He called for adequate warning signs at crash scenes especially in the night to avoid other vehicles running into a stationery vehicle, adding that for an effective policy on speed, speed signs should be mounted at relevant portions of the highways while speed camera should be installed and made functional.
Onanuga suggested the idea of number plates that expire, against the current practice where number plates have no expiring dates. He frowned at the practice of issuing Road Worthiness Certificates indiscriminately to vehicles that have not been practically inspected by Vehicle Inspection Officers, saying such practice compromises safety of the vehicle and other road users. He suggested that every vehicle must undergo proper physical inspection by the relevant authorities before road worthiness certificates are issued to them.
On volunteerism against road carnage, the NAN Director General applauded the special marshals initiative of the FRSC, noting that there are a lot of people that are interested in rendering selfless service to the people. He therefore called for strengthening of the volunteer arm to take care of interests of would be volunteers.
He assured that his Management will contain to work with the FRSC to sustain the existing relationship in order to consolidate on what has been achieved in the past.
In his response, the Corps Marshal thanked the NAN Boss for his visit to the FRSC and the special interest he shows in road safety matters, assuring that he would work with him to sustain the existing partnership between NAN and FRSC.
Oyeyemi expressed appreciation to NAN for its commitment to promoting road safety through its timely dissemination of road safety information and reports to members of the public. This he said has contributed immensely to enlightenment among members of the public on issues of road safety.
He solicited for more support from NAN especially in disseminating information on speed violation, overloading and use of phone while driving.
Oyeyemi further solicited the support of the NAN Boss on effective dissemination of information on traffic management and erection of adequate warning signs at relevant portions of the road under construction across the country in the aftermath of commencement of work at the various sites following Federal Government’s mobilisation of the contractors.
The Corps Marshal assured the NAN Managing Director that the Corps’ signage production plant located at Gwagwalada would soon commence operations, and when fully operational, it would address the current poor signage along some major highways in the country. He invited NAN Boss to make a presentation at the third quarter management retreat and strategic session of the Corps for this year.
The Director General of NAN was accompanied on the visit by some principal officers of the Agency, while some members of the FRSC Management joined the Corps Marshal in receiving the NAN delegation.
……FRSC News
