The Special Marshals arm of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will intensify efforts to enlighten the public on the laws governing its existence and operations.
Dr Henry Uro-Chukwu, Immediate Past Ebonyi Special Marshals Coordinator disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering a Lecture during its 2019 Sector workshop.
[ads]
The lecture is entitled: `The Role of Special Marshals in Curbing Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) in Nigeria: A review of the past and present efforts in Ebonyi’.
Uro-Ukochukwu noted that many people were unaware of its creation by law adding that the FRSC establishment act, 2007 stipulated that the corps should have two arms.
“The corps shall consist of such number of uniformed (regular) and non-uniformed (special) members as may be determined from time to time by the commission.
“This shows clearly that the special marshals’ arm is a creation of law rather than a social club, partner or affiliate group.
[ads]
“The special marshals, therefore, share with the regular marshals, equal and the same duties and responsibilities in ensuring safer roads as guaranteed by the law.
“The mission, vision, strategic goals and responsibilities demanded of the regular marshals by the constitution are also applicable to the special marshals.
“The special marshals are entitled to all privileges enjoyed by the regular marshals including fraternity with military, police and paramilitary agencies except monthly salaries and allowances,” he said.
The former state coordinator said that the workshop among other means served as a veritable avenue to enlighten the public on such facts.
[ads]
“The audience needs to also be aware that the special marshals participate in public enlightenment, rescue and conveyance of RTC victims to hospitals.
“We also participate in RTC cases management, reaching out to the FRSC zebra at emergencies and patrol activities on the usage of safety devices.
“Others are advocacy at motor parks, hospital visitations, provision of towing vans and settlement of RTC victims’ hospital bills.
“Special marshals in various policy-making Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have also used reports provided by Safety Engineering Department (SED) of the FRSC, to convince key road authorities on road planning, design, construction among others,” he said.
[ads]
He said that to further sustain its contributions in reducing RTC in the country, special marshals should intensify its activities on safety management, enlightenment among others.
“The FRSC should create a dedicated department of special marshals as the 9th administrative department at its headquarters and also dedicate financial votes to such department for greater public enlightenment, advocacy among others,” he said.
Mrs Stella Uchegbu, FRSC Sector Commander in Ebonyi said that the special marshals’ conference was an annual event and the 2019 workshop reflected on the purpose of establishing the special marshal arm of the corps.
[ads]
“It is also to ascertain their performances within their mandate of impacting on the motoring public,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was attended by top officials of the corps, government officials and other members of the public.
