The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Mr. Abiodun Adesida has disclosed that the House is poised to reposition the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Mr Adesida made the disclosure during the public hearing on a bill seeking to amend sections of the FRSC Act, 2007 which includes establishment of special armed squad in Abuja,
He said that the hearing marks a pivotal moment in the drive to reposition the FRSC.
Adesida noted that as Nigeria continues to evolve, there is the need to brace up with innovations.
The chairman also said that the proposal for special armed squad for personnel was not completely new.
He explained that there should be more strict penalties for road offences, “aimed at protecting personnel who often put their lives on the line”.
Arming FRSC personnel
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Shehu Mohammed disclosed that FRSC operatives have often been killed, maimed and molested by criminals while on rescue missions, adding that road safety law enforcements agents all over the world are all armed for security and safety purposes.
“In addition to the non-kinetic support contributed by FRSC to counter-insurgency operations, empowering the Corps with an armed squad could extensively deter criminal activities on our highways thus improving safety and security in Nigeria”, he said.
Majority of stakeholders in the road transport sector expressed support for the creation of a special armed squad for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
They said the bill should be speedily passed without sentiments, as it was long overdue.
Opposition to arming FRSC
On their part, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the National Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS), expressed reservations on the bill, insisting that the core mandate of the FRSC does not require its personnel to be armed.
The pioneer Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Gen. Baba Hanania (rtd) appreciated the House for the courage to introduce the bill seeking special armed squad.
“Let us remove sentiments and emotions from our considerations, and ensure that we support the move by the House to protect personnel of the FRSC and their property”, he said.
The former Chairman of the governing board of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mallam Buhari Bello, Mr. Sule Usman, SAN, in their separate submissions expressed support for all the proposed amendments, urging speedy passage of the bill for them to bring the benefits to bear in no time.
A retired Deputy Corps Marshall, Charles Akpabio, recalled how as a zonal commander, his patrol team from Adamawa who went to rescue accident victims in Numan were attacked on its way back by Okada mob whom blamed the officers for causing the road crash.
“I had to rely on sister security agencies. Only the presence of the Army and the DSS team prevented them from burning me and my personnel. There is need for a special armed squad to protect our facilities and personnel, however, there must be rules of engagement”, he said.
Speaking for the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO),
Dr. Kassim Ibrahim expressed total support of all the proposed amendments, saying “a robust and effective FRSC is a necessity. It is very important to protect the lives of officers and facilities”.
But Comrade Frank Uche of NURTW was against the view saying that “armed squad will duplicate the functions of the police which already has the clear mandate of the security of lives. To avoid conflict of interest, care must be taken. Also, the potential for abuse is high, especially in view of the rising tension because of the economic situation in the country”.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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