BISI KAZEEM writes that when the Federal Road Safety Corps was established in 1988, it was thought of that it would be great, but to what extent this greatness would be was probably lost to the founding fathers then. One thing that has manifested over the years, however, is that the Commission has been fortunate with the quality leadership succession and each never departed from continuous guidance of the Corps even on their exit.
The followership has also been quite commendable as, together with the leadership, the Corps has become the enviable organization that she is today. Today, FRSC is a force to reckon with globally, becoming an attraction of contemporary study in volunteerism in law enforcement and the Best Example of a Lead Agency for Road Safety for Africa by WB; advisory member of the UN Road Safety Trust Fund also representing Africa on the Board; ISO 9001 2015 certified; influenced the nation to become the first country in Africa and the fourth globally to assent to all the six (6) UN Conventions on Road Traffic; availing countries of the African sub-region technical assistance on road safety management; one of the few organizations that has continually drawn diplomatic goodwill to the country; the foremost law enforcement organizations in Nigeria with the highest positive public disposition and alignment, one of the few agencies globally with a national traffic radio, among others.
In other to further secure the future, the current Management operates on the tripod; Consultation, Reward, and Punishment. Today, this basic operating administrative pathway has set the future clearly before us. There have never been stakeholders fora as in recent years, bringing about tremendous and unprecedented goodwill, both from governments at the various levels and from the good people of Nigeria. Promotions exercises were conducted in usual transparent FRSC tradition year in and year out with the deserving staff moved to their next ranks, recognition and commendations were equally given to the deserving ones while those who erred were also accorded their deserved reward.
In order to ensure that the Corps is appropriately placed to confront the future by ensuring that all staff operate from conducive office environments and further to ensure their wellbeing, the current administration embarked on the construction of permanent office structures for the Sector Commands. This commitment commenced in 2015 and as at date, a total of thirteen (13) prototype Sector Commands have been inaugurated across the country. This accomplishment was possible with the assistance of the various state governments with the Federal Government as the pathfinder. The support of the Government of the Federal has never been so great and inspiring.
In the same vein, the Corps is focused on capacity development and in order to have a seamless approach to her service delivery in the future. The training institutions are being expanded while new ones are being established. For instance, the former Training School is being relocated from Jos to Shendam in the Shendam Local Government Area Council of Plateau State and will henceforth cater for the Road Marshals only. The institution is currently undergoing the process of becoming a diploma awarding institution. The Inspectorate Training School is now in its advanced stage of establishment. It is located The plans for the establishment of the National Traffic Television to compliment the National Traffic Radio has also commenced in earnest in order to boost public education and enlightenment in Ika North Local Government Area Council of Delta State and its complexes solely and appreciatively sponsored by the Delta State government. In the same vein, the Academy is being upgraded to a degree-awarding institution as well as transmutation to a Regional Center of Excellence for Road Safety Management Studies while the Command and Staff College will commence academic session in the second quarter of 2020. All these have been embarked upon to provide for better ambiance for staff capacity development to meet current and future challenges.
While these innovations and gains are on-going, the Corps has not abandoned her laudable programmes. The DSSP, RTSSS, patrol operations, communication system, rescue and recovery, our technological base, the staff cooperative society, housing scheme, the vehicle and furniture loans schemes, the Post Service Scheme, quartering and many others are all being strengthened daily so as to be better placed to continue to give our best to Nigerians in return for their believe in the Corps and as a sign of the sanctity of the trust in the Corps.
I have reiterated these few achievements because I not only needed to bring you all to speed on developments but also to thank you for the support that the Management has received from you all through these years. Without the understanding and steadfastness of all staff, the strides recorded could have been retarded, impacting negatively on our collective growth. Our collective resilience and heights attained should not, however, be taken for granted. Nigerians must not also be taken for granted, for whatever reason. This, therefore, brings me to a cankerworm which appears to have infested the Corps body operations and could inadvertently upturn our hard-earned gains and reputation. The cankerworm is the twin of bribery and corruption.
Let me remind you all that there is no known nation whose economy grows without a viable, safe and reliable road transport system because of its inherent advantages over other modes of transportation as well as its super supportive and complementary roles to the other transportation sub-sectors such as air freight and logistics, airlines, marine and rail as well as transportation infrastructure. Bribery and corruption erode the trust that the public has in us to act in their best interest because it diminishes the quality of our services, thus preventing the natural laws of the economy from functioning freely as it should and the entire society suffers. A road safety management approach infested with bribery and corruption would, therefore, retard the nations growth.
Although the Corps has launched a boisterous internal fight against the twin evil, she has also entered into purposeful synergy with the ICPC and the DSS on surveillance activities. The Corps was also the first government agency to come on board the Flag IT App, a mobile technology Application Portal launched by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, with the backing of the Federal Government; both in the effort to ensuring that the situation is degraded and eventually eliminated as quickly as possible. Both efforts are yielding the desired results. Let it be told, therefore, that the efforts will not be relented upon but to be taken in ascendancy in the years to come until the Corps is refocused and totally recommitted to the future of Road Safety Management and all the derivable advantages of the road transport accrue to all road users and the nation at large.
Let me use this opportunity to also appreciate all our retired officers and Marshals for their collective contribution while in service as well as in retirement. The Retired Officers Association was incorporated to enable robust rapport among retirees as well as give the Corps the benefit of informed ambassadorial feedback and input. Many of you have remained quite wonderful and inspiring. I further call on you to continue to be ambassadors of the Corps wherever you find yourselves. The Corps, on its part, will continue to uphold her cherished tradition built with considerable resilience by all former and serving staff.
I have not forgotten our heroes who departed this world due to one cause or the other, especially those who paid the supreme price in the course of duty; you all are fondly remembered and your labour shall not be in vain.
On this note, let me remind you all that we have a great future together and Nigeria can be better off through our collective resolve to improve on our current standard of road safety management as well as continuing in our internal and continental leadership roles in the Road Safety Management.
Happy and peaceful 32nd anniversary.
- Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem delivered this goodwill message on the occasion of the 32nd Anniversary of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
