The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engineer Babachir David Lawal has declared that the Federal Government will continue to support the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with necessary logistics and increased personnel for the realisation of its goals in accordance with the extant laws and regulations, saying the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the welfare of the citizenry in areas of road safety and security. He stated this today while declaring open the FRSC Capacity Building Workshop for its Unit Commanders at the
FRSC Academy Udi, Enugu state.
Bisi kazeem,Head Media Relations and Strategy in a press release said Engineer Babachir Lawal who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Policy Development and Analysis, Ibrahim Bapatel Hassan, stated that with the high premium which the FRSC places on staff training and capacity development, the Corps cannot disappoint the nation as the people look up to it for solutions to the road safety challenges facing it.
According to him, the task of creating safer motoring environment is quite herculean and often fraught with daunting challenges, especially in the Nigerian situation with its peculiarities. He further noted that the present administration is worried by the unfortunate incidents in the last few days where lives of several road users who could have continued to live to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation were lost.“This certainly, cannot be allowed to go unabated by any serious government, hence it has become imperative that the FRSC as the lead agency for road safety management in Nigeria must rise to the challenges,” he stated.
The SGF noted that in rising up to the challenges, therefore, modern techniques and approaches are desired, and these cannot accrue magically except with painstaking engineering of processes and procedures which can only be accomplished through capacity development of personnel. He pointed out that the programme is the first and purposeful step towards the right direction.
He stressed that the present administration pays close attention to details and remittance of statutory duties by government agencies, including the FRSC, noting that people should not be delusional that FRSC is not being watched closely and would continue to be, as the nation expects much from it. He however expressed confidence in the ability of the FRSC to deliver on its mandate, saying the high profile capacity development programmes organised by the Corps in the recent past is a testimony to its level of preparedness to face its statutory responsibilities squarely.
“Just recently, 30 members of the FRSC top management participated in an international road safety training programme organised at the California Highway Patrol Authority in Sacramento, USA.
“Prior to this, 30 FRSC Officers of patrol bracket had attended a similar course at the same institution in 2014. That same year, 200 middle level Officers benefitted from a World Bank sponsored six months capacity building course at this first ever Road Safety Academy in the African sub-region where we are privileged to be standing today,” he added.
SGF further stressed the importance of the workshop to the capacity development of the FRSC Commanding Officers, urging the participants to listen attentively, ask pertinent questions and make constructive contributions to enhance the process of understanding and generation of new ideas. “I therefore, urge you all to take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your capacity towards better service delivery,” he further stated.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi while welcoming participants to the workshop stated that capacity development initiative has become a principal and explicit priority that the current Management has taken as a tool for successful implementation of all the Corps’ policies and programmes, noting that the Workshop was being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
“This programme is strategically targeted at Unit Commanders who are the representatives of the FRSC at their level and considered to be the critical change agents required by the Corps for the success of its general overhaul and injection of new lease of life,” he stated.
Oyeyemi further stated that the aim of the capacity development programme was to build the capacity of the Unit Commanders to deliver on their remit in the effective and efficient manner in the full glare of the FRSC system, values, beliefs, norms and practices. He added that the objectives of the workshop include creating more informed, skilled and engaged Unit Commander that are capable of improving the ethical and professional standards of the FRSC.
Other aims of the workshop according to him include, tackling the obstacles against efficient implementation of the strong corporate goals and exploring the different methods of learning and facilities that could be offered. He urged the participants to brace up to use of strategic alliances to support ethical working and strategise to increase the like hood of success at all times, while striving to tackle the obstacles against full implementation of strong corporate governance measures.
The Corps Marshal further enjoined the participants to understand risks and advantages of pursuing civil remedies and how to identify key issues impacting on FRSC integrity. “Participants are expected to brace up to the roles and place of Commanding Officers in the scheme of things; understand the process of developing effective policies and framework within the Corps and enhance facilitation, consulting and collaborative skills of the Commanding Officers,” Oyeyemi stated.
Highlight of the opening ceremony of the three day programme which would attract presentations from Resources Persons on different topics was the public commendation given to three Unit Commanders of the FRSC from Onitsha Unit Command in Anambra state, Katei and Kakkau Unit Commands respectively in Kaduna state, for distinguishing themselves in traffic management, enforcement and rescue operations as well as efficient service delivery to members of the public.