Bill to allow FRSC officers carry firearms scales second reading

A bill proposing that officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) be authorised to carry firearms has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, 2007 to make provision for the establishment of a Road Safety Special Armed Squad.

The bill, jointly sponsored by Hon. Abiodun Derin Adesida (APC, Ondo) and Hon. Olaide Lateef Muhammed (APC, Oyo), was unanimously passed at plenary on Thursday.

The bill also seeks to make the Road Safety Corps on the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal enjoy benefits attached to that grade, including retirement grade.

It intends to empower the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) with the responsibility for road traffic administration and safety management, preventing and minimising road traffic crashes on public roads, supervision of users of such public roads, and regulation of traffic thereon.

The bill equally plans to empower the commission with the powers of clearing obstruction on any part of the public roads and for educating drivers, motorists, and other members of the public generally on the proper use of public roads.

The proposed legislation seeks to mandate the commission to educate drivers, motorists, and other members of the public on the proper use of public roads and other related matters.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, referred the bill to the committee on FRSC for further legislation.

There have been calls on the need for FRSC personnel to bear firearms in discharging their duties.

Those advancing this argument believe the measure would ensure adequate protection for the personnel who were often attacked in the course of duty by some road users or suspected criminals who take advantage of the security challenges in the country.

In a similar vein, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad from Kano State at plenary on Thursday, the lower chamber urged FRSC to adopt modern technology in its operations and embrace technologically-assisted enforcement such as Automatic Vehicle Local and Automated Traffic Enforcement systems; Advanced analytics and data platforms, amongst others.

Moving the motion, Muhammad expressed concern that FRSC enforcement methods of physical checkpoints pose potential risks to commuters, the location of checkpoints on steep inclines or declines can be dangerous, especially for motorcycles and tricycles, and the application of sudden brake or swerve manoeuvres to avoid checkpoints can lead to accidents.

According to him, checkpoints create bottlenecks, especially during peak hours, leading to traffic gridlocks and delays coupled with alleged reports of FRSC officials engaging in corrupt practices at checkpoints, soliciting bribes from motorists, or impounding vehicles for minor
offenses.