The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi has urged staff to remain focused to the attainment of the ideals set by the founding fathers of the FRSC for safety on the nation’s highways.

He stated this yesterday while declaring open a one day retreat, which coincided with one year anniversary of his appointment.

While congratulating FRSC staff on the feat achieved by the Corps in its 27 years of existence and one year of his leadership, Oyeyemi expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for creating enabling environment for the FRSC to implement policies and programmes that impact positively on human development, safety and security of the nation.

Speaking on leadership, the Corps Marshal stressed the need for Commanding Officers to be exemplary in their conduct, saying that they must discharge their responsibilities faithfully to justify the confidence reposed in them, adding that FRSC’s attainment of the Quality Management System Certification (ISO 9001), was one clear evidence of what the Corps has become in quality service delivery to road users.

“The Corps has also attracted various local and international recognitions. The recent ECA rating, which adjudged Nigeria’s road safety as one of the top three in Arica is another testimonial,” he stated.

Oyeyemi attributed the trending down of crash situations in the country to the committed efforts of members of the Corps, but expressed concern at the recent spate of crashes involving tankers, which resulted in huge loss of lives and destruction of property.

He, therefore, admonished staff not to allow the trend to continue as the nation looks up to them for solutions to the menace.

“That was why we stepped up our consultations with various stakeholders on how to avert future occurrence, culminating in the National Summit on Haulage operations, where stakeholders drew up a plan of action that is being carefully implemented,” he stated.

On the introduction of the speed limiters, the corps marshal stated that it was a fallout of the stakeholders’ resolution to find lasting solution to the menace of speed related crashes which account for about 50.8 percent of road carnage in the country, saying that 1st of September, 2015 has been chosen as the deadline for all commercial vehicles to have the gadget installed in them.

“Though our performance this half year over same period of 2014 has been impressive, we cannot rest on our oars as we promised Nigerians 20% reduction in road traffic crashes (RTC) and 30% reduction in fatality by this year,” he stated.

“Specifically our records indicated that we have reduced RTC by 12.42% from 5,255 RTC in half year of 2014 to now 4,602 RTCs by half year of 2015. Also fatality has reduced by this half of the year by 15.11% from 2,972 at half year 2014 to now 2,523 persons killed from RTC by end of June 2015.

“Persons injured too have reduced by 7.02% from 15,587 injured by half year of 2014 to now 14,493 persons injured at the end of 2015,” he further stated.

Speaking on the policy of House Ownership, which the management enunciated last year, Oyeyemi stated that it was capable of impacting positively on the motivation of the entire staff, saying that making ownership of a house possible for all staff while still in active service is one sure way of reducing the apathy and motivate staff for higher productivity.

“I assure you that Management remains committed to the success of the policy,” he stressed.

On the preparedness of the FRSC to support the Federal Government in its determination to ensure socio-economic development of the country, the corps marshal urged staff to commit themselves to the task of effective traffic management on all roads, stressing that FRSC will always support the Federal Government’s efforts through effective traffic management and administration to enable business and social activities to thieve.

The retreat, which had all the principal officers of the FRSC National Headquarters in attendance, also attracted the 12 Zonal Commanding Officers and the 36 Sector Commanders including that of the FCT.

•Photo shows Oyeyemi delivering his speech.

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