Ember Months: Oyo Government, FRSC Consolidate Partnership to Reduce Accident Index

The Oyo State Government has promised to consolidate the existing relationship with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to reduce accident indexes in the state, particularly during the few months ending the year, popularly called ember months.

Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this, on Friday, at the 2021 National Workshop for Proprietors and Training for Instructors of Driving Schools, organised by the FRSC, adding that the partnership would ensure continuous and adequate training of drivers across the state.

Makinde, who was represented by the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr Akin Fagbemi, said the collaboration was necessary at such a time when there are more vehicular movements usually associated with some haste, rush and unacceptable attitude of untrained drivers.

The Governor also commended the Federal Road Safety Corps on the ongoing Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP), aimed at improving driving school operations in Nigeria, noting that the programme has developed uniform standards, safety consciousness, professionalism and proficiency in drivers’ education in the state.

He extolled FRSC, saying: “The great successes recorded in monitoring and regulating the driving school industry, through driver training education, is evident in the reduction of road traffic crashes over the years, as a result of improved driver education in recent times.

“It is also very important to note here that the training of learner and professional drivers must be carried out in accordance with standards enshrined in driving school training manual, with all the required training facilities in place. Most importantly trainees must undergo all the sessions required for the type of vehicles they intend to learn how to drive and at the end must pass the Compulsory Computer Base Test (CBT) before the National Drivers Licence is issued to them,” the Governor asserted.

He revealed that through the efforts put in place by the FRSC, Nigeria has been recognised globally by several organisations, including the United Nations and other international road safety organisations and the National Drivers Licence is now recognised and accepted by countries across the globe.

While enjoining all participants to contribute greatly during the technical sessions, with a view to adding positively to the progress of the driving school industry, Governor Makinde encouraged drivers across the state to be more careful during the last quarter of the year as the vigilance of everyone means safety for all, while negligence of anyone portends danger to all.

Stakeholders at the workshop included the Oyo State Commissioner of Police; Director DSS, Oyo State Command; representative of the FRSC Corps Marshal and representatives of the Comptroller General of Customs and the NSCDC, among several others.

Emmanuel Ukoh