FG is being urged to reform or combine FRSC and Nigerian Police

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been asked to be reformed or merged with the Nigerian Police due to the Corps’ shortcomings in carrying out its mandate.

In a statement on Thursday, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which made the request, expressed concern over the significant number of fatal accidents that occur there.

The following is the full text of the statement issued by the HURIWA national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and provided to PlatinumPost in Abuja:

The ongoing rise in road traffic crashes (RTCs) and the rising death toll on Nigeria’s dangerous roads, as revealed by the most recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics, have The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) deeply alarmed and profoundly disturbed. These startling figures represent a staggering loss of priceless human lives, not just a collection of numbers.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has vowed to cut down on traffic accidents by just 5%, the report claims. Although admirable, these words are meaningless and ineffective in the face of a disastrous 6.01 percent increase in RTCs from the previous quarter. It is abundantly clear that the FRSC’s efforts have failed miserably, and this is a vote of no confidence in their capacity to stop this threat.

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The FRSC’s deficiencies are obvious. Although Corps Marshal/CEO Dauda Biu promised to improve data collection and analysis, the situation on Nigerian roads has not substantially improved. The statistics are accurate: It is an intolerable reality that 4,387 lives were lost in RTCs in the first half of 2023. The FRSC’s inability to fairly and effectively enforce traffic laws is solely to blame.

A fundamental issue that requires immediate attention is shown by some traffic enforcement agencies’ extortionate tendencies, particularly in states like Lagos and Ogun. While drivers of private vehicles face harassment, those of commercial vehicles—often the worst offenders in terms of traffic violations—operate with impunity. The dangerous circumstances on our roadways are further made worse by this injustice.

Additionally, one major contributing factor to these incidents is the terrible condition of the country’s roadways. The existence of potholes, slick bumps, and untarred roads is appropriately highlighted in the report. This infrastructure’s deterioration is a death trap as well as a risk to those who use the roads. It is a flagrant example of poor governance, which demands immediate attention.

Additionally, the report stresses the importance of improving vehicle maintenance, deterring driver irresponsibility, battling drunk driving, and addressing the dangers of using a phone while driving. These problems are made worse by the lack of instruction in traffic safety and the excessive speeding culture. It is past time for the government to prove that it is committed to seriously lowering RTCs.

The fact that children and young adults are among those most commonly impacted by traffic accidents is a sobering statistic that should worry us all. The statistics from the World Health Organisation serve as a sobering reminder that traffic accidents cause a terrible toll on human lives, costing up to 3.0 percent of Nigeria’s GDP.

A fundamental change in Nigeria’s approach to road safety, according to HURIWA, is necessary. We urge the Federal and State Governments to act swiftly. The FRSC must step up its enforcement operations while maintaining honesty, integrity, and a free from extortion and corruption.

The professionalisation, equipment, funding, and motivation of the states’ traffic management agencies must be prioritised. Only a few states have demonstrated this commitment, and it is past time for the other states to do the same. The FRSC should work with state organisations while limiting its attention to federal highways.

In addition, we implore the administration to give road development and upkeep first priority. Road safety laws must always be upheld, and auto insurance regulations must be changed and strictly enforced.

The Federal Government is urged to act right away by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). A clear vote of no confidence in the FRSC has been cast by the high death rates. We want change, or that the possibility of separating the FRSC from the Police Force or merging them is considered. The current situation is dangerous, and our people’s lives are under danger.