25th November, 2021
By Bridget Ikyado
Bandits and hoodlums menacing the highways have the officers of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to contend with, apart from the police.
Kingsley Agomoh, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Project Implementation Office, revealed Thursday that the agency has gotten the nod of the Federal government to carry arms.
Agomoh revealed this while answering questions at a seminar organized by the Bureau of Public Reforms.
He was speaking on why the corps officials have not commenced night highway patrols.
He said personnel would require specialised training on firearms handling before starting night patrols.
“It is one of the reasons we have not started work at night“, Agomoh said while answering questions on traffic management at night.
He however assured that the FRSC has upgraded its devices and facilities to handle traffic emergencies and save lives.
“We are not just concerned about making arrests of drivers not using seatbelts, making calls while driving, speeding and other traffic infractions.
“The FRSC watches out for all measures to prevent road traffic accidents,“ the Assistant Corps Marshal said.
He however said it was impossible for personnel of the commission to be on every road, and appealed to Nigerians to also contribute in ensuring safer roads at all times.
The public should report issues as they occur to help reduce fatalities, he added.
Agomoh said the FRSC has one of the best ambulance services in the country stationed on major highways to offer medical assistance to road crash victims.
“For each ambulance, 15 calls can be received simultaneously, it has a generator, fire extinguisher.
“It has a central monitor, paramedics and radiographer for immediate request; feedbacks and other essential devices to arrest emergencies. They are technology driven.”
On the menace of heavy-duty vehicles on roads, Agomoh said the corps had adopted measures to reduce the risk they pose to motorists, including stopping them from traveling when the need arise.
This, he said, was to reduce traffic congestion and fatalities.