Abuja, Nigeria – A bill to establish a special armed squad for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and enhance the agency’s operational efficiency has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Abiodun Derin Adesida and Olaide Lateef Muhammed, seeks to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act of 2007.
Key provisions of the bill include the creation of an FRSC Special Armed Squad to bolster security and road traffic management efforts. Additionally, it proposes that FRSC officers at the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal receive enhanced retirement and rank-related benefits. The bill also aims to grant the FRSC greater autonomy in road traffic administration, the prevention of road accidents, and traffic regulation across public roads.
Beyond this, the bill calls for empowering the FRSC with the authority to clear road obstructions and educate the public on safe road usage, further cementing its role in maintaining road safety nationwide.
Following a voice vote, members of the House of Representatives unanimously supported the bill’s passage for second reading.
In a related development, the House adopted a motion presented by Representative Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, urging the FRSC to incorporate more technology in its operations. This motion advocates for the use of Automated Vehicle Location systems, Advanced Traffic Enforcement systems, and data analytics platforms to strengthen enforcement and improve road safety.
The motion also calls on the FRSC to assess whether these technologically-assisted methods effectively reduce traffic violations and enhance overall safety on Nigeria’s roads.