By John Ikani
As part of efforts geared towards improving transparency and accountability, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed body cameras on its personnel.
Speaking while unveiling the technology in Abuja on Thursday, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi said the development was a way of checking misconduct and curbing graft.
He added that it was designed with the needs for the public uppermost in mind, as the Corps goes about the task of making FRSC more responsive in operations.
Oyeyemi also said that it was evidence of a fostered innovation to tackle challenges in patrol operations and its strong commitment to surmount all obstacles in delivering on its mandate.
He went on to note that the platform was significant, due to its multiplier values to the corps and by extension, national security.
What the Corps Marshall said:
He said, “This platform will embrace the ethical imperatives of eliminating misconducts both on the part of the operatives and motorists.
“It will considerably reduce the incentive to infringe on traffic laws and regulations due to perceived weak enforcement and likelihood of escaping arrest.
“It will assist to improve on road safety management generally with better personnel disposition, among others.”
The FRSC boss said that the Corps recorded the highest cases of assaults on its personnel in 2019, but that not recorded a single assault since the test running of the platform began in some parts of the country.
Oyeyemi added that its implementation would be in phases, as the corps had targeted three years for all the patrol teams to be using the body cameras nationwide.
“This is Phase one which is in FCT, Abuja. Cameras will be deployed to Lagos and Asaba for end of the year patrol operations as well. This will also help to control the behavior of officers and conduct of the public,” he said.
What you should know
The FRSC was established in February 1988 to eradicate road traffic crashes and create safe motoring environment in Nigeria. The Mission of the Corps is to Regulate, Enforce and Coordinate all Road Traffic and Safety Management activities through a Sustained public enlightenment, Promotion of stakeholder’s cooperation, Robust data management, Improved vehicle administration, Prompt rescue services and Effective patrol operation
