By Ibironke Ariyo
On assuming office as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on May 29, Shehu Mohammed brought a remarkable level of enthusiasm and dedication to implementing sweeping reforms within the organisation.
In his inaugural address, the new Corps Marshal articulated his vision, which focuses on a comprehensive overhaul of the FRSC and setting the stage for transformation and improvement.
He announced that the FRSC would undergo a major transformation, emerging as a top-tier global road safety agency, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
The Corps Marshal expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to lead the organisation and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure safety on Nigerian roads and protect the well-being of road users.
Mohammed acknowledged the contributions of the founding fathers of FRSC, including Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Dr Olu Agunloye, who worked hard to establish the organisation’s ideals.
He emphasised the need to revive these legacies to address current challenges faced by the Corps such as mob actions against staff, staff knockdowns by drivers, and assaults on Marshals.
The Corps Marshal outlined six focal points for his administration which are to rejig and reposition operational strategies to conform with present-day realities.
According to him, others are training and retraining staff to align with realistic expectations and strategic partnerships with sister agencies, international organisations, and Special Marshals.
Digital transformation in operations, including the establishment of a Technical Advisory Unit; Discipline and renewed covenant with the Nigerian motoring public; and harmonisation of the ranking structure, career progression, and provision of an environment conducive to working.
As part of his initial familiarisation tour, the Corps Marshal visited several critical infrastructures of the commission located in Abuja.
This includes the National Driver’s License Centres in Wuse and Kado, which he said helped in gauging service delivery efforts and engaging with personnel and stakeholders.
He also visited the Number Plate Production Plant in Gwagwalada to examine manufacturing processes and assess the plant’s efficiency.
According to Mohammed, the visit came as a result of several complaints from the public about the facilities and poor working environment.
Confronting the challenge, he constituted a task force to ensure that the backlog of plate numbers was cleared as soon as possible.
He directed 24-hour production and immediate rectification of the identified technical glitches that affected the overall production capacity of the plant.
The Corps Marshal’s strategic intervention yielded impressive results, with the centre producing nearly 74,000 licences in two weeks.
This notable achievement enabled the centre to clear its existing backlog and now functions at optimal levels to fulfilling public demands.
Owing to the strategic intervention mechanisms introduced towards ensuring safety on the highways, the FRSC Corps Marshal, held strategic meetings with the heads of other sister security agencies.
During such meetings, Mohammed emphasised the need for interagency collaboration to combat car theft and counter the activities of criminal elements.
He met with Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adewale Adeniyi, where he highlighted the critical impact of road safety on national security.
As part of his restructuring efforts, the Corps Marshal implemented a comprehensive deployment strategy, ensuring that all states were equitably represented in the appointment of Sector and Zonal Commanding Officers.
The new Corps Marshal also unveiled a new strategy for transforming the Ember Month campaign, aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing crashes during the peak travel season.
Mohammed noted that the conventional Ember Month campaign methods, such as motor park rallies, had not been effective in achieving the desired impact.
“The crash statistics are still alarming and unacceptable. Nigerians are looking up to the corps and there are high expectations from us to deliver.
“Therefore, we will revamp the strategy and adopt a more interactive approach that involves collaborating with stakeholders and hosting press conferences to enhance road safety awareness and outcomes.
“We need to reverse this trend. Let us agree that if we keep doing the same thing, we will keep getting the same results. Drastic challenges require drastic solutions.
“We have realised that commuters have a crucial role to play in reducing road crashes. They should have a say in who drives them and ensure that drivers adhere to safety measures.
“With this, we felt the emphasis should not just be on drivers and we should also go to commuters to assist us.
“Passengers much have a say on who drives them and who controls them to reach their destination,” he said.
The Corps Marshal urged commanding officers to reinforce their alliances with traditional and religious leaders, recognising the critical role they play in amplifying the safer road campaigns.
On July 30, the FRSC boss announced that the judiciary has promised to collaborate with the corps by providing the necessary support for the strict enforcement of traffic laws.
This, he said, included the prosecution of offenders using mobile courts, when necessary to ensure a safer and more orderly transportation system nationwide.
Within his first 100 days as Corps Marshal, he took steps to promote cycling as an alternative mode of transportation.
To lead by example, he participated in a bicycle ride alongside stakeholders to commemorate the Sixth World Bicycle Day, showcasing his commitment to sustainable transportation.
Mohammed urged relevant authorities to ensure that professionals were consulted and involved in the design and construction of roads to accommodate bicycle lanes and facilities.
He also emphasised the importance of motorists recognising and respecting the rights of bicycle riders on the road.
“Without mincing words, no mode of transportation promotes the culture of serenity, orderliness, friendly neighbourhood and urban peace as the bicycle.
“It is the only individual means of mobility fit for all residents irrespective of age, gender and class.
“We hereby emphasise the use of bicycles as a panacea for promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance with a sense of community, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion,” he said.
Meanwhile, the corps also inaugurated a comprehensive capacity-building programme, leading to the training of personnel across various cadres and the graduation of junior officers.
The Corps Marshal said that the training, a first of its kind, was designed to enhance skills and knowledge to meet evolving demands in road safety management and traffic administration.
“No fewer than 1,646 personnel were trained, including 341 unit commanders, 415 road marshal assistants, 700 drivers, 90 monitoring and evaluation officers, and 100 junior officers,” he said.
On August 25, a Marshal refresher course on repositioning FRSC for enhanced service delivery in patrol and rescue operations was also inaugurated.
Another milestone of the Mohammed-led FRSC was the remarkable 12 per cent crash reduction, compared to the same period last year, indicating a substantial progress in reducing road traffic crashes and promoting safety.
Motorists and road users commended the achievement as a ground-breaking milestone, praising Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed as a transformative leader who has brought unparalleled positive change to the FRSC.
“Honestly, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the behaviour of FRSC personnel on the roads.
“Unlike in the past, when they would often stop and harass drivers without reason, they now conduct themselves in a more professional and respectful manner,” said a commuter.
It’s clear that the Corps Marshal is dedicated to creating a safer and more pleasant driving experience for the public. I wish him continued success and pray that he completes his tenure on a high note,” said Mr Owolabi Arowolo, a driver.
In a bid to further enhance road safety, the FRSC is set to inaugurate a cutting-edge mobile app on September 5, designed to identify and alert users to black spots and high-risk areas while travelling on highways.
The Corps Marshal noted that this user-friendly app would consolidate all FRSC resources, products, and directives, making it a one-stop shop for road safety information and services.
“The app will show and give significant information about road black spots, and alert of any crash spot ahead while travelling.
“The app system will inform and remind the users of due dates to renew their driver’s licence, service their vehicles and other notable information,” he said.
No doubt the first 100 days in office of Shehu Mohammed as the FRSC Corps Marshal has witnessed a flurry of activities, which are geared towards the transformation of FRSC in the country.
Though it is still too early to conclude the performance of the Corps Marshal, experts say there are clear indications that the present administration is committed to giving a new face to FRSC.
They, however, said the new Corps Marshal needs the support of the government, especially in the area of funding, which is key to achieving his target.
