The Federal Road Safety Corps has admitted that despite the report of fraud in the Drivers’ Licence scheme in some states, it is not a behaviour that is in the character of the agency.
In a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Commander Bisi Kazeem, the FRSC stated this in response to a story by Premium Times on the issue.
Kazeem said: “The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to a story published on 21 July and 15 August, 2018 in Premium Times on alleged drivers’ licence fraud in some states of the country.
“While the Corps appreciates Premium Times and the Nigerian media in general for their contribution to road safety management in the country, we like to state clearly that the operational lapses and misconducts exposed in the reports do not enjoy institutional backing. There are lots of great, honest and committed officers and men in our Corps. But like all human institutions, the FRSC will not lay claim to perfection. There are perhaps a few personnel who appear to have failed to key into the uncompromising anti-corruption regime put in place by the leadership of our organisation.
“But this Corps, reputed widely for its transparency, integrity and unrepentant stand against corruption, is determined to severely punish all misconducts proven against its personnel. As is well known within and outside this organisation, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has never wavered in showing good examples and in ensuring that corrupt personnel are tried and dismissed from service.
“The Corps Marshal treasures the Nigerian press for being the watchdog of the society and appreciates their resilience, tenacity, objectivity and contributions to stability and good governance particularly at this time in the history of our beloved nation.Reacting to the publication by PREMIUM TIMES, Dr. Oyeyemi said: ‘We have noted the issues raised by the publication. We will investigate the allegations made against our personnel and take decisive actions. Already, drastic measures are being instituted to nip in the bud the identified mischiefs being perpetuated by some tendentious driving schools across the country.’
“The Corps Marshal equally encourages the media to continue to expose wrongdoing as this will help redirect the wheels of governance in the country.
“‘Let me also encourage the media to endeavour to always stand on the path of truth, justice and unbiased reportage especially when it concerns matters relating to irregularities of operatives and other stakeholders in the Corps.’
“Dr. Oyeyemi said despite the challenges confronting the Driving School Standardization Programme and the National Drivers Licensing Scheme processes, the Corps remains resolute in its fight against corruption and will continue to wage war against indiscipline within its system and among its stakeholders.He said some of the issues raised by the articles were already receiving attention even before the publications were made. For instance, the Corps Marshal said he recently ordered an investigation into reported sharp practices involving 124 indicted driving schools. The operations of the schools were first suspended pending the outcome of investigation. The investigation later revealed that of the 124 suspended after preliminary investigation, 53 schools were reopened while the remaining 71 that are undergoing investigation remain blocked.As a way of putting the nation’s driving schools on the path of sanity, the Corps, between 04 July and 07 August, 2018 organized national workshop for driving school operators in four locations across the country. The locations are: Ibadan (July 4, 2018), Kano (July 23), Owerri (July 30) and Abuja (August 7). Of the total 1450 registered driving schools in the country, 919 participated in the workshop.At the workshops, some action plans were agreed upon to address sharp practices by driving schools operators. These action plans are currently being implemented across the country.
“The Corps also recently organized a workshop for Sector heads of Driving Licence Centres to discuss measures for authenticating driving school certificates, learners permit through driving test and visual acuity test of applicants.
“The highlight of that workshop, held August 1 in Abuja, was a stern warning by the corps marshal to personnel to desist from nefarious practices capable of tarnishing the image of the Corps or endangering safety on our roads.
“Corps Marshal Oyeyemi urges all Nigerians to see road safety matters as the collective responsibility of all, saying everyone should from their little corners make contributions that will make Nigerian roads safer and crash free.”
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