The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the introduction of ‘drastic time-saving digital technology’ in the processing of driver’s licence in Nigeria.
The Speaker stated this on Tuesday at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja where he met with the Board and management of the FRSC, after renewing his personal driver’s licence.
He described the technological innovation as a “pleasant surprise” with ample room for improvement.
However, he regretted the high rate of road crashes and the attendant loss of lives on Nigerian roads, promising to expedite action on the FRSC amendment bill currently before the House.
“I am more than impressed with the infrastructure here. If they had told me outside that we have this level of sophistication in terms of technology, I wouldn’t believe it. But I have seen and touched it, and I now believe that we have made a quantum leap in applying technology to better our lots.
“What you do here is very important in securing lives and property of Nigerians. I have seen the statistics of deaths on our roads, an average of 93 lives are lost weekly. I think that is very high.
“If there is anything required of us as legislators, to assist you reduce the lives lost on our highways, it would be irresponsible of us not to do it immediately. So, as soon as public hearing is concluded, we will fast-track the FRSC amendment bill,” the Speaker pledged.
He further lauded the harmonious working relationship between the FRSC management and its governing board, especially at a time other sister agencies are immersed in supremacy battles and acrimony with their boards.
The Speaker therefore urged them to sustain it in the best interest of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Chairman, FRSC Governing Board, Mallam Bunari Bello, had appealed to the Speaker to help ensure that the bill seeking to amend the Corps’ extant laws is passed and enacted before the dissolution of the 8th Assembly, to avoid the frustration of starting the process afresh in the next dispensation.
