Mr Peter Kibo, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) in charge of Ogun and Lagos State in his opening remarks said the retreat was geared towards accessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Corps' activities and fashioning out modalities to effectively execute the Corps’activities while incorporating the tenets of the Covid-19 protocols.
"I thank God Almighty for keeping us alive and for his immense grace to be able to participate in the event of today.
"It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the zonal retreat which is themed: “Achieving Corps’ Mandate in the Midst of Current Global Pandemic” which is geared towards accessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Corps’ activities and fashioning out modalities to effectively execute the Corps’ activities while incorporating the tenets of the Covid-19 protocols.
" The Federal Road Safety Corps is saddled with the following mandates among other things to: Preventing and minimizing Road Traffic Crashes.
"Clearing of obstructions on highways;
Educating drivers, motorist and other members of the public on the proper use of the highway.
"Providing prompt attention and care to victims of Road Traffic Crashes; Cooperating with bodies, agencies and other relevant bodies engaged in Road Safety Management.
" On a yearly basis, the Corps in line with the United Nations Decade of Action and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations comes up with Corporate Strategic Goals in order to reduce Road Traffic Crashes on the highways and improve on its activities as an organization.
The Corps’ 2021 Corporate Strategic Goals which include:
Minimizing the risk of death in road traffic by: Reducing the Road Traffic Crash (RTC) by 15 per cent Reducing Fatality by 20 per cent Improving personnel capacity and competence in road safety management Broaden and sustain stakeholders engagement
Reposition, strengthen and sustain Road Safety programmes.
According to him, the second goal of improving personnel capacity and competence is the reason why we are here to brainstorm and equip ourselves with the necessary skills for the task ahead.
Kibo said the retreat would avail them a good opportunity to ask themselves how they have fared in achieving the goals and re-strategise to ensure compliance in the next six months of the year with the covid-19 protocols in view.
The FRSC boss added that the resource person has been carefully selected as he was sure that his presentation would go a long way to help the corps form a reasonable pathway at the end of the retreat.
" I acknowledge the presence of the Special Guest of Honor, Guest Speaker, Stakeholders, Invited Guests, Special Marshals and every other persons present at this retreat.
"I most sincerely appreciate the planning committee for a job well done and I enjoin all participants to listen attentively and put to use the knowledge gained from this retreat.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Ministry of Transport Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, Mr. Olowoshago Kamar, said “we are here to address a lot of issues on the road that needs to be attended to in the state, especially the excess of articulated truck crashes which the retreat will address”.
The Commissioner assured that Lagos state government is really interested in making sure that the roads are very safe for users.
During an interview session, the Director, VIS Lagos, Engr. Akin George Fashola; he thanked FRSC for the biannual retreat which is targeted at enforcing the task ahead to keep the public safe on roads.
Engr. Fashola also said that “in few days to come, there will improvement in the way we collaborate because there will be a joint section which will comprise of the FRSC, LASTMA, VIS and others; to tackle some of the issues on the road and I believe it will bring relieve going forward”.
Delivering a lecture on the topic: “Achieving Corps Mandate Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic”, Prof. Charles Asenime of School of Transport LASU, who was well represented by Dr. Fatai Yakeen, said that Data management, research and innovation, Review of road safety rules in line with new normal, will help the nation in this post covid 19 era.
The paper touched on issues like enforcement resources, education on safe use of road and public transport, consolidation of safe active mobility, safeguard of road safety investment, adoption of flexible governance, liaison with MDAs and stakeholders for the provision of road safety infrastructures etc as key to achieving Corps mandate in the midst of covid-19 pandemic.
