Lagos – Stakeholders at the ‘On the Highway Africa 2025’ town hall on Friday in Lagos have called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to revive motorised patrols on major highways to reduce the rising incidence of road crashes.
Speaking at the event themed ‘Driving into the New Year: Safer Roads, Fuller Communities’, transport journalist Moses Akaigwe said past FRSC patrols helped curb reckless driving, which often led to serious accidents.
He urged the corps to be involved in the design stage of new road projects to enhance safety across the national road network.
Mr Akaigwe also called on the government to end the sale of sachet alcohol in public parks, describing it as a major contributor to crashes, and asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to enforce the ban.
He stressed the importance of proper driver training by transport owners and maintenance of vehicles by private motorists.
Transporter Isaac Uhunmwagho echoed the call, warning that highway dangers had multiplied in recent times. He said visible FRSC marshals were urgently needed and urged transport owners to ensure that drivers with alcohol problems never take control of vehicles.
Represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Umar Bamayi, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer Ann Oladayo acknowledged that road safety was a shared responsibility.
She admitted that motorised patrols were costly but said plans were underway to enhance capacity within the limits of the current budget.
Founder of ‘On the Highway Africa’, Julie Chi-Nwaoha, emphasized that every road crash involved “a family, a friend, or a loved one” facing emotional and economic hardship. She commended FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed for his leadership in digitalising operations to improve efficiency and save lives.
Ms Chi-Nwaoha urged citizens to play their part in road safety, reminding participants that “every life matters” and collective action is key to safer roads and stronger communities.
