By Chesa Chesa
As part of efforts to make Nigerians roads safer, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and BusinessDay Media, publisher of reputable BusinessDay Newspaper, have along other stakeholders convened a summit in Abuja to proffer and work out modalities to implement modern and smart technology ideas and solutions.
The breakfast/townhall meeting which held on Wednesday, with the theme – Smart Road Infrastructure and Commuters Rights to Safe Journeys – coincided with the FRSC’s flag-off of the ‘2024 ember months campaign’ to ease road users experience during the Yuletide.
Stressing that the event is a platform for stakeholders to explore smart road solutions in line with global safety standards, the FRSC Corps Marshall, Shehu Mohammed, highlighted the need for road infrastructure like speed sensors, acoustic sensors, CCTV cameras, smart traffic lights, weather monitoring systems, digital signage, E-tolling, weather monitoring systems, and digital signage, which help to streamline traffic flow, reduce congestion, and respond efficiently to emergencies.
Others include that help cities adapt long-term sustainable, transportation needs by improving congested roadways, streamlining traffic flow as well as improved services and emergency response.
The Corps Marshal highlighted that the campaign to digitize FRsC operations also align with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for economic growth.
Part of the initiative includes empowering commuters to recognize and assert their rights through the FRSC’s recently launched mobile app, encouraging them to report reckless drivers.
As Nigeria’s roadways continue to support the bulk of national transportation needs, Mohammed stressed the strain on the road system and the toll it takes on safety.
“In light of this, we wanted to bring stakeholders, including the media, to a round table to discuss a unified policy and strategy. We need a collective front to reduce the frequency of road traffic crashes and improve overall safety on our major roads”, Mohammed stated.
Deputy Corps Marshall of the FRSC, Clement Oladele, had stated that Nigeria would require approximately N35 trillion to revamp its road infrastructure into a smart system, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while the country’s existing road infrastructure is currently valued at N70 trillion.
In his remarks, BusinessDay Publisher/CEO, Frank Aigbogun, stressed the need for better funding of the FRSC to ensure effective delivery with advanced road safety measures towards reducing accident rates, and ensuring safer travel for Nigerians.
He noted that the FRSC’s role in safeguarding lives on the highways could not be understated and that “our lawmakers and those controlling public resources must recognize the value of well-funding organizations like the FRSC, whose work directly impacts commuter’s safety”.
Aigbogbun stressed that with adequate funding, the FRSC could invest in modern equipment, expand training programs for personnel, and strengthen public awareness campaigns, ultimately contributing to a more secure and efficient road transportation system.
The publisher lauded the FRSC’s dedication to public engagement, calling it “a noble and commendable effort” to build trust with the public.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 7, Benneth Igweh, who represented Kayode Egbetokun the Inspector-General of Police, also emphasized the need for the deployment of technology, particularly drones, on Nigerian roads to improve road safety management.
He pointed out that drones had been quite useful in helping the police swiftly respond to emergencies along the Abuja-Kaduna highway as well as the rail line along the same route, and the FRSC could tap from such experience.
