The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has announced the agenda for the FRSC’s 2016 operational activities, saying 2015 was quite eventful and the Corps was determined to sustain the tempo of its activities in the new year. He made this known today while speaking at the press conference for the review of the special end of year operations organised by the FRSC and agenda for this year.
According to him, in a press release by Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, the 2015 special end of year operations which led to massive deployment of FRSC’s operational logistics and personnel at the various identified black spots witnessed huge vehicular movements, but regretted the increased fatalities recorded as compared to previous years, saying this called for urgent review of the Corps’ operational strategies for the yuletide operations in the commitment to make the roads safer in the new year.
Oyeyemi noted with satisfaction the increase in the number of callers to the FRSC through its toll-free number 122, stating that an average of about 31 road traffic related interactions were made within the period. This he said, was 11% higher in the previous exercise, adding that Instagram, Twitter and facebook recorded increases of 9%, 19% and 31%. “It is equally significant to note that the Social Media was significantly active during the operations,” he stated.
“It was observed that of all interactions, 77% were from citizens of between the ages of 19 and 49,” he added.
The Corps Marshal further noted that the improved interaction that the Corps had with members of the public, particularly the youths and middle aged was a welcome development that shows increasing level of ownership of road safety by all. “It also shows a veritable window through which the Corps will continue to leverage on its activities in continuously achieving its goals,” he further stated..
On the use of Mobile Court during the operations, the Corps Marshal disclosed that a total of 2,257 offenders were arraigned, while 2,025 of them, representing 89.7% were given different convictions with 7 of the offenders representing 0.3% serving prison terms, while 225 representing 10% were discharged. “The Mobile Court activities showed that number of people arraigned increased by 4%, while convictions with option of fines also increased by 2.5% and imprisonment level rose by 85.7%, over the records of 2014,” Oyeyemi stated.
While recognising the achievements made by the Corps in the operations, the Corps Marshal attributed the success recorded within the period to the general commitment of the relevant stakeholders including members of the security agencies particularly, the Nigerian Air Force which made its Helicopter available for aerial surveillance operations. Oyeyemi listed the 2016 strategic goals of the FRSC to include Improved fleet operations and sustainable stakeholders’ consultation; Collaboration with states on improved road safety administration and Improved enforcement and public education.
“At this juncture, let me appreciate all our stakeholders for standing firmly with us in the campaigns to make the roads safer,” he further stated.
Operation Sanity: Driving Safely into 2016,” which was the theme of the 2015 special end of year operations by the FRSC was flagged off by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state on 18 September 2016 at Onitsha, Anambra state.