From L-R; the State Secretary of NUJ, Mr Mike Abang; the Sector Commander, Joseph W. Toby, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey and Deputy Corps Commander in charge of Policy, Research and Statistics, UA Bassey during the visit.
By Ita Williams, Calabar
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safer roads through strategic collaboration with the media.
The Sector Commander of RS6.2 Cross River Sector Command, Joseph W. Toby, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council on Tuesday at the Ernest Bassey Press Center, NUJ Secretariat, Calabar.
Commander Toby further enumerated the critical role of the media in disseminating accurate information on road safety, saying, “today marks a new phase in the synergistic relationship between the FRSC and the NUJ, especially in Cross River State”.
He noted that the FRSC is responsible for making Nigerian roads safer and has adopted various strategic tools to achieve these objectives which includes, public enlightenment and education, engineering interventions, and enforcement of traffic regulations.
Toby elaborated on the Corps’ initiatives, stating that educational campaigns are crucial in informing the public about traffic rules and the importance of safe road usage.
Engineering strategies, such as road audits and crash investigations, help provide data-driven recommendations for improved road safety policies.
Additionally, enforcement ensures compliance with the FRSC Act of 2007 and the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) of 2012.
In alignment with its mandate, he said “the FRSC has set a corporate goal to reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities by 10% by 2025. This objective is driven by six key policy thrusts introduced by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, upon assuming office in May 2024”.
These include repositioning operational strategies, continuous staff training, strategic partnerships, digital transformation, discipline, and staff welfare.
Recognizing the roles of the media, Toby called on the NUJ to amplify road safety campaigns, particularly regarding the nationwide clampdown on fake and illegal number plates and the promotion of the FRSC mobile app for road users.
“The media plays a vital role in eliminating misinformation and ensuring that road users receive accurate updates. We rely on your support to ensure the public is well-informed about our ongoing initiatives,” he said.
The Sector Commander also commended the NUJ leadership, led by Comrade Archibong Bassey, for their continued support and partnership,,reiterating that road safety is a shared responsibility and urged stakeholders to work together to make Nigerian roads safer.
“As we join hands to actualise safer roads, may we enjoy fuller lives,” he concluded.
In a statement by the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Samuel Otih on the advocacy visit, the Sector Commander observed that strategic partnership with critical stakeholders such as the NUJ would eliminate the issues of misinformation and misconceptions which abound in the public space with regards to road safety activities, programmes and policies.
The Sector Commander thanked the union for the cooperation they have given the corps so far observing that more can still be achieved in making the roads safe especially in Cross River State with their support.
He assured journalists of his support and the Command’s readiness to collaborate with them in promoting safety on the road through credible publications on the role and activities of the Corps as he satisfactorily addressed the issues of concern.
The statement further said, the NUJ chairperson, Archibong Bassey welcomed the Sector Commander appreciating him for the good works the corps has been doing especially in Cross River State in ensuring that the number of road traffic crashes are kept minimal through robust enlightenment and enforcement activities.
She assured that collaboration with the corps will continue to receive unalloyed support from her administration agreeing with the fact that Road Safety is everybody’s business.
The event which was attended by journalists from several media houses got the journalists better informed on road safety issues as they promised to make the corps an integral part of the 2025 Media week scheduled for May 2025.
