Retired Deputy Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kayode Olagunju, has called on President Bola Tinubu to increase financial support for the agency to enhance its lifesaving operations.
Olagunju, in a passionate appeal, highlighted the critical need for improved funding to address the FRSC’s operational challenges, including a shortage of ambulances, tow trucks, and patrol vehicles. He emphasised that while the current administration has made commendable strides in road infrastructure development, good roads alone do not guarantee safety.
Recalling President Tinubu’s proactive measures as Lagos State governor, Olagunju praised his past initiatives, including the establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). These efforts, he noted, significantly improved traffic management and emergency response in the state.
“President Tinubu has always shown a deep commitment to road safety,” Olagunju stated. “Now, as the nation’s leader, we urge him to extend that same visionary intervention to the FRSC to save more lives.”
Nigeria has recorded a staggering 396,083 road crash deaths and 1.48 million injuries between 1960 and 2024. Despite the FRSC’s efforts since its establishment in 1988, which led to a 43% reduction in crashes, the country still faces high fatalities, particularly on well-constructed roads where drivers engage in reckless speeding.
Olagunju pointed out that over 70% of crash deaths occur within the first hour (the “golden hour”), yet many FRSC commands lack life-support ambulances to respond swiftly. Additionally, broken-down trucks on major highways, such as the Abuja-Lokoja route, often cause prolonged gridlocks due to insufficient tow trucks.
The retired FRSC chief outlined key areas requiring urgent intervention: Procurement of more ambulances and tow truck to reduce response time, increased fuel subsidies** for FRSC operational vehicles amid rising costs, enhanced enforcement tools, including speed cameras, breathalyzers, and digital ticketing systems and nationwide road safety campaigns to combat reckless driving.
While acknowledging previous government interventions, including World Bank grants, Olagunju stressed that routine budgetary allocations are insufficient to meet the FRSC’s expanding demands.
“Road safety is everyone’s business,” Olagunju remarked. “No one is immune to crashes—it could be anyone, a loved one, or even a high-ranking official stuck in traffic due to an obstruction.” He urged well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, and international partners to support the FRSC’s mission.
The appeal comes as the Tinubu administration continues its push for improved infrastructure under Works Minister David Umahi and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Olagunju urged the president to prioritize FRSC funding, stating, **“We don’t have to wait for another World Bank grant. Let’s act now before more lives are lost.”
With road crashes draining 3% of Nigeria’s GDP annually, the call for action is both an economic and humanitarian imperative. As Olagunju aptly noted, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
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