The House of Representatives has passed a bill through its second reading that aims to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act of 2007. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Abiodun Adesida (APC-Ondo) and Olaide Muhammed (APC-Oyo), seeks to establish a Road Safety Special Armed Squad and empower FRSC officers to bear arms.
The bill, if enacted, would grant FRSC officers on the rank of deputy corps marshal additional benefits, including improved retirement packages. Moreover, it aims to expand the commission’s responsibilities to encompass comprehensive road traffic administration and safety management.
Key provisions of the bill include authorising the FRSC to supervise public road users, regulate traffic, and clear obstructions to minimise road accidents. The commission would also be mandated to educate drivers, motorists, and the public on proper road usage and related matters.
Following the second reading, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen referred the bill to the House Committee on FRSC for further legislative scrutiny.
In a related development, the House has urged the FRSC to adopt technology-assisted enforcement methods. This call, resulting from a motion by Garba Muhammad, advocates for the implementation of Automatic Vehicle Local (AVL) systems, Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) systems, and advanced analytics platforms to improve traffic management.
Muhammad highlighted concerns about current FRSC enforcement practices, including the potential risks posed by physical checkpoints and high-speed chases. He emphasised the need to prioritise road user safety while enforcing traffic laws.
The House also directed the FRSC to evaluate the effectiveness of its current enforcement strategies in reducing traffic violations and improving overall road safety.
These legislative actions reflect growing concerns about road safety in Nigeria and a push towards modernising traffic management practices.
The House Committee on FRSC has been tasked with ensuring compliance with these directives as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Featured image: Vanguard
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
