The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a mobile app and National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS) to address Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) and another road safety related issues across the country.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume described the achievement as another milestone in the annals of the FRSC.
The SGF said that the ongoing digital transformation of the operational activities in the corps geared towards improving the administration of the Corps to deliver on its mandate.
Akume said that the mobile app and the NACRIS was to raise awareness and sensitise both drivers and passengers on the potential causative actors of RTCs.
He said that the launch of the two digital platforms was a testimony to the fact that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed was not only committed to fulfilling his promises.
According to him, it is also another giant stride in the effort of the Corps at implementing policies aimed at creating a safer motoring environment and reducing crash-related injuries and death on our highways.
“Data on road traffic crashes reveal that between Jan and Dec 2023, road traffic crashes have consumed the lives of 5,081 Nigerians and that a total of 31,874 Nigerians were injured in the period under review.
“Furthermore, between Jan-July 2024, 2,776 persons were killed and 16,309 injured as a result of road traffic Despite the fact crashes.
“Despite the fact that the FRSC has been innovative at implementing measures against reckless driving and improper road use, these figures call for concern from both Government and non-Governmental stakeholders on road safety.
“It also reminds us of the need for more effort and urgent action towards reducing the figures to its barest minimum,”he said.
The SGF said that the launching of the FRSC Mobile App and the digitalisation of
the NACRIS was a well thought-out road safety policy that would require inputs from road safety officers and men as well as other road users.
He added that it was expected to strengthen the commitment of vehicle users and the traffic law enforcement officers to contribute positively to road safety related issues.
“I wish to commend the effort of the FRSC Management in aligning with the vision of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, on the Renewed Hope agenda aimed at digital
transformation and economic growth of the nation.
“Permit me to also put on record that Federal Government is committed to ensuring that these projects were sustained through adequate support for the benefit of Nigerians.
In his welcome address, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, said that the FRSC had been active at formulating and implementing policies aimed at improving road safety administration in the country over the years.
Mohammed said that those measures have been successful to the extent that some African countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia have adopted and domesticated the Nigeria Road Safety model in their various countries.
“In accordance with of our modest achievements, we in FRSC still believe that there is still room for improvement, and development especially against the current global trend in digital economy.
“It is in consideration of this current global trend that I decided to focus on digitalising the FRSC operations as one of the cardinal objectives of my team.
“The launching of the FRSC Mobile App and the NACRIS is therefore a deliberate effort by the Corps to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, aimed at digital transformation, ease of doing business and economic growth of the Nation, “he said.
The Corps Marshal said that the FRSC Mobile App was a software application that could be used on smart phones to alert the public on sensitive road safety issues through programmed features.
This, he said were such as excessive speeding, dangerous driving, verification of vehicle documents amongst others.
“The proper application of these features is expected to drastically reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from road traffic crashes.
“In this era of technological advancement, FRSC cannot afford to lag behind. It is in this light that the Corps has decided to adapt and evolve its operations into the global network service system.
“On the other hand, the NACRIS is designed to promote a multi-sectoral approach to crash reporting and data storage. We are all aware that globally, decision makers rely on accuracy and reliability of data to arrive at informed decisions.
“Considering that data is a veritable tool for planning and allocation of resources, the NACRIS approach is designed to ensure that collated data is utilised for effective implementation of policies that would impact positively on road safety administration and management, “he said.
The FRSC boss assured the motoring public that the two schemes would be utilised as additional operational tools for effective intervention in road safety administration in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Chairman, House committee on FRSC, Hon. Abiodun Adesida, commended the Corps Marshal for his visionary leadership and the SGF for their support in this essential project .
Adesida said that the modern platform provided real-time traffic updates , accident alerts and the road conditions, empowering users with essential information for safer driving, speed monitor among others.
“With this new Mobile Application and the ongoing efforts to amend the 2007 FRSC Act by the House Committee on FRSC, the Corps is advancing towards a 21-century standard in technology, ensuring enhanced road safety measures.
“By amending the 2007 FRSC Act, it will bring modernisation, better data analysis, stronger partnerships , increased public engagement and enhanced accountability, strict penalty for traffic violators and a lot more.
“Let’s commit to using this mobile application effectively, fostering a culture of safe driving, Together, through collaboration, with stakeholders, we can create safer roads for all, “he said.
Present at the event were relevant stakeholders such as the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Ali Muhammed Ali, His Royal Highness, Mallam Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau,
Others are, acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alh. Issa Ore, Mohammed Bulama, the Director General Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) the Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Isaac Parashina among others.
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