Kehinde Fajobi
The Federal Government is preparing to acquire helicopters for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to facilitate the swift evacuation of accident victims.
Deputy Corps Marshal Oladele Clement disclosed this on Tuesday during the FRSC Management Retreat and Press Conference in Abuja, noting the aircraft will be procured through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Clement, head of FRSC’s Policy, Research, and Statistics Department, said discussions with private stakeholders also include potential partnerships for air ambulances to assist in emergency responses.
“Alongside the new initiatives of our Corps Marshal, we’ve had some private individuals express interest in PPP arrangements with us,” he said.
“While we anticipated delays in acquiring choppers, these discussions suggest it could happen sooner. The plan is not limited to helicopters; we’re also focusing on air ambulances, strategically positioned near trauma centres in high-risk areas for faster victim evacuation. Drones will also support these efforts as part of FRSC’s technology drive.”
Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide added that the corps has broadened its road safety awareness campaigns with an emphasis on passenger advocacy.
This year’s “Ember Month” campaign, titled “Speak Up Against Reckless Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers than Drivers,” empowers passengers to be vocal about their safety concerns.
“This initiative aims to improve driver behaviour and enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a safety-conscious country,” Ogungbemide said.
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, speaking to journalists, called for collective action to curb road traffic accidents, highlighting the shared responsibility of road safety.
“Road traffic crashes are the seventh leading cause of death globally and the top cause of youth fatalities. With Nigeria having a high youth population, we must work together to minimise these incidents to secure the nation’s future,” he stressed.