By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will henceforth withdraw the licences and prosecute any driver or fleet operator involved in fatal road crashes.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja during the annual retreat of safety officials themed, “Driver Management: Enhancing Safety Through Technology”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual retreat is aimed at sensitizing safety officials on regular basis on issues and developments related to the implementation of the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).
It is also aimed at implementing best practices in fleet operations and management, especially in this dynamic road transport sector of the Nigerian economy.
The FRSC chief said the event was only aimed at addressing some critical observations by the Corps regarding the past management of naval operations in the country and its collateral consequences.
Mohammed said the theme strongly reflects the Corps’ importance to the welfare of drivers as it is a comprehensive safety standard among the three minimum safety standards promoted by the RTSSS.
He said that driver management, which is at the centre of this speech, is a task that every fleet operator must take seriously to improve safety on our roads.
He said: “Today, we are gathered here to assess performance and advocate for the improvement of existing fleet management practices.
According to him, there is also a need to stop acknowledging that each of us has done well in implementing the minimum safety standards recommended by the RTSSS.
“This should also have been reflected, as you testify, in the patronage your companies enjoy and the reduction or non-involvement of their respective fleets in road accidents.
“I am including all of you in this category and I also want to tell you that safety is not only a shared responsibility of government.
“Following a detailed analysis of previous certifications of fleet operators, the national assessment of the implementation of the RTSSS and other identified gaps, the following legal measures should come into force.
Any fleet operator who fails to comply will receive notices which must be followed consistently before legal action is taken.
“Fleet operators who deny certification teams access to their facilities will be prosecuted. Fleet operators who fail to meet certification standards twice will be suspended from operations.
“License plate stickers are only issued to vehicles equipped with functional speed limiters (SLD). “Any driver or fleet operator involved in a fatal car accident is committing a crime,” he said.
In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police (NPF), Mr. Kayode Egbetokunn, said the FRSC management has introduced new strategies to ensure effective traffic management across the country.
Egbetokun was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (AIGP) in charge of Zone 7, Mr. Benneth Igwe.
The inspector general said the police will continue to supplement the FRSC to reduce crime and combat excessive traffic on the roads.
Likewise, the representative of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Ms. Olubunmi Otti, appealed to fleet operators to always protect the rights of passengers and ensure they are in control of their money.
NAN reports that over 2,000 safety managers from various fleet operators attended the retreat, which aimed to promote best practices in fleet management, particularly in the dynamic road transport sector of the Nigerian economy.
