The Corps Marshall and chief executive, Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka has reviewed the activities of the commission in the last 25 years. This was part of activities lined up to commemorate the silver jubilee of the commission.
While delivering his speech, he highlighted the traffic situation in the country prior the establishment of the commission in 1988 which he described as “chaotic and unpredictable.” “With the FRSC coming on board, seat belt usage and public awareness had risen to 70% with improved crash helmet usage and installation of road signages on the highways,” Chidoka said. He also talked about the other achievements of the commission which included the introduction of the National Uniform Licensing Scheme which brought about the centralised data on drivers and vehicles across the country. He didn’t fail to mention the international recognition the commission had received in recent times. With honour, he talked whereby countries like Ghana, Sierra Leone and Mali had adopted the modus operandi of the commission to ensure safety on their roads.
However, the corps Marshall said in preparing for the challenges that await the commission in the next 25 years, the commission had invested heavily on technology with 345 V-SAT being installed to ensure interconnectivity. In his words “as we march into the future, electronic ticketing, online verification of drivers; licence number plates and drivers record will become routine task available to end users.
While answering questions from journalists, the Corps Marshall said those who were injured and others who died as a result of road crashes will be remembered and prayed for. Elaborating more on the issue of continuity of his lofty achievements after he must have handed over the baton of leadership, Chidoka pointed out the structures on ground would ensure that things won’t go down the slope. He further said the commission was in collaboration with security agencies on the use of surveillance cameras to track down traffic offenders.