In the continuing efforts by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for efficient telephone communication system for enhanced response by the FRSC to distress calls by members of the public, the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi has visited the Nigeria Communications (NCC) to strengthen the partnership between the two organisations. This was part of the issued discussed by the Corps Marshal during his meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta at the Commission’s Headquarters Abuja according to a press release made available by Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC
According to Kazeem, Oyeyemi in his presentation before members of the Management of the Commission, the Corps Marshal acknowledged the support which the NCC has rendered to the Corps in its search for efficient communication system with members of the public for prompt response to distress calls, saying that led to the dedication of the line: 122 to the FRSC with which members of the public reach the Corps through its Call center to report crashes and other emergencies.
The Corps Marshal however observed that because the number was formerly being used by Airtel by its customers to make complaints on network issues, there has continued to be frequent interruptions by such customers thereby causing interruptions that undermine the essence of the line. He therefore solicited the support of the Commission to ensure that the dedicated line was prevented from further public interruptions especially those that still mistake it for Airtel line.
Oyeyemi also stressed the commitment of the FRSC to the information and communication technology development efforts of the Federal Government, citing the example of the feat achieved in the licensing system of the country which he said has attained credibility due to introduction of technological features. Part of the reforms in the licensing system, he said includes training for new driver’s license applicants at recognized driving schools and physical capturing component, which has made it impossible for anyone to obtain the lenience in proxy or fake it.
He assured that with the growing collaboration between the FRSC and the NCC, the Corps would readily train some relevant personnel of the Commission on how to verify driver’s license and Number plates without having to write to the Corps for verification. The Corps Marshal further stated that as part of the efforts to increase the efficiency of the licensing system, two hundred centers have been opened across the country, while the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has approved five years renewal period as an alternative to the current three year duration, saying the choice is for those that want to go for any of the two.
With the desire to achieve optimal results in its computerization programme, the Corps Marshal called for necessary support in developing the Corps’ ICT infrastructure and making its e-licensing system operational. He also made case for support for the Corp’s public enlightenment programme in the collective desire to create awareness on the use of the road.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman, commended the FRSC for its feat in technological development, saying other government agencies have to work harder to meet up with the pace of the Corps. He further stressed the need for strategic collaboration between the two agencies, pointing out that the nation could benefit immensely from such initiative.
Professor Dambatta described the visit as relevant, timely and strategic in view of the need for different agencies of the government to always work together to achieve cohesive national goals. He reviewed the national development efforts, and gave kudos to the FRSC for promoting technology and ideal world that would soon be dominated by network where it is only those organisations with technological knowhow that would have the space.
The Executive Vice Chairman directed that line 122 be exclusively reserved for use by FRSC for its emergency service, further directing that the process for ensuring the exclusivity of the line by the by the Corps be worked out immediately. In addition, a technical team compromising of members from the two organizations would be constituted to ensure seamless operation between the Corps and the NCC in the spirit of the renewed collaboration.
The Corps Marshal was accompanied on the visit by some principal officers of the Headquarters, including the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, Theophilus Charles and the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Special Marshals and Partnership, Ahmed Hassan as well as the Special Assistant to the Corps Marshal, Assistant Corps arshal Julius Asom among others.