Government approves intervention funds for improved FRSC operations

*The Federal Government of Nigeria says it has continued to support efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps through budgetary approvals for infrastructural development, vehicles and equipment upgrade

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For operational efficiency, facilitation of effective enforcement of road traffic regulations, and reconstruction of damaged buildings, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved intervention funds for the revitalisation of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) fleets and formations damaged during the #EndSARS protests across the country October 2020.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stated this during the inspection of the newly acquired operational vehicles and tow trucks for the FRSC Thursday, April 22, in Abuja, FCT, agency report said.

The SGF, represented by Dr. Mbaeri Nnamdi, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, said that this was to facilitate the effective enforcement of road traffic regulations and to also rebuild the burnt buildings.

Mustapha said: “The Federal Government acknowledges the contribution of the FRSC to the reduction in Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) and facilities on the nation’s highways.

“The President has continued to support these efforts through approvals for infrastructural development, vehicles and equipment.”

He also noted: “It is my belief that the Corps will put these newly acquired vehicles to effective use in ensuring the safety of our roads.

“Therefore, I enjoin the motoring public to continually obey traffic regulations and adopt good road safety culture as road safety is a collective responsibility,” he said.

The approval of funds for the newly acquired operational vehicles were said to be the last batch of vehicles captured in the year 2020 procurement exercise.

It is recalled that several formations of the FRSC were attacked with valuable property and operational vehicles either damaged or burnt during the outbreak of the #EndSARS march protests and attendant violence October last year.

According to him, modalities for the release of funds are in process.

Mustapha as well directed the Corps to engage critical stakeholders to ensure that crashes involving petroleum tankers received adequate attention in the country.

He advocated this should be addressed by installing safety valves to forestall the spillage and the attendant explosions associated with this class of heavy-duty vehicles on the highways.

He added: “Safety valves should be fitted into tanker trucks to avoid explosion when crashes occur on the highway.

“And it is expected that the FRSC should ensure full compliance to the directives of the Federal Government, especially at the Benue and Bauchi axis,” he said.

Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of FRSC, in his response commended the present administration for its support.

Oyeyemi said the President had done tremendous work in acquiring the operational vehicles for the Corps.

He appreciated the Federal Government on approving intervention funds for the FRSC and the additional operational vehicles.

“We believe within the next few months, once we get the fund, we are commencing the procurement process as directed by the SGF,” Oyeyemi stated.

Kindly Share This Story