By Ishaya Ibrahim
Former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, has applauded the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its achievements since its establishment 30 years ago.
“In a national environment where institutions tend to be short-lived and rise or fall with the fortunes of changing dispensations, it is gratifying that the FRSC is one institution that has weathered the storms of changing times and administration.
“Not only has it survived, it has indeed grown into a permanent feature of our national landscape,” Babangida said of the FRSC he established in 1988 when he was in power.
“Throughout the length and breadth of our nation, the presence of FRSC officers and operatives on our highways reassures our travelling public and reinforces the belief that we are all united to the commitment to prevent or at least significantly reduce the loss of lives on our roads and highways.”
Babangida recalled “with pride that the FRSC came into being under our stewardship at the helm of our national lives. Prior to its establishment, the level of carnage on our roads and highways had become unacceptable.
“It was a matter of serious concern to Nigerians and indeed the international community. We rose to the occasion, inspired by our concern for the protection of human lives and the pursuit of the common good.”
He recounted how Professor Wole Soyinka was appointed the first head of FRSC during whose time the basic foundation of discipline, firmness, and commitment to humanitarian service was laid.
“No doubt, subsequent leadership of the FRSC have brought the organisation glaring innovations, increased zeal and heightened commitment.”
The size of the FRSC has since increased in line with the increase in population and the volume of traffic on the roads. The national spread and presence of the FRSC is now felt countrywide.
According to Babangida, even those who initially doubted the necessity and efficiency of the FRSC now testify to the drastic reduction in road accidents and the casualties.
“We all ought to be proud that the negative publicity that our high road traffic accident rate and casualty figures used to attract is no longer a concern.”
He commended the FRSC for saving lives and assisting those in need of emergency assistance in accident situations, saying it deserves the gratitude of Nigerians.
He urged the FRSC to remain faithful to the founding principles and be dynamic and rise to the challenges posed by new road safety technology in order to meet the demands of the changing times.
“These adaptations are imperative if the Corps is to survive in our changing world as a truly relevant national institution.”
