The Federal Government on Friday stressed the importance of investment in the country’s transport infrastructure, saying it plays a vital role in any nation’s development and growth.

This is as it commissioned 130 newly acquired operational vehicles, which would assist the operations of the Federal Road Safety Corps in road safety management.

The operational vehicles comprise 97 patrol vehicles, 10 heavy-duty tow trucks, 15 flatbed tow trucks, five ambulances, one 56-seat staff bus and two coaster buses.

At the commissioning of FRSC operational vehicles in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to transport infrastructure to enhance transformative growth.

Akume stated, “We have realised, among other things, that our resolve to make Nigeria, a veritable home for investors will not be achieved if this administration does not make the management of safety on our roads a topmost priority.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the provision of transport infrastructure.

“Mr. President believes that investment in transport infrastructure is a key determinant of performance in all other sectors since it plays a vital role in any nation’s development and growth process.

“Indeed, transport infrastructure encourages transformative economic impact.”

Akume noted that the commissioning of the 130 vehicles would improve the quality of the road safety management approach in Nigeria.

The SFG said, “The Federal Government is, therefore, in sync with this effort of FRSC and encourages other agencies of Government at all levels to develop similar resourceful ways to improve their work processes in the most cost-effective manner possible.

 

“It is, therefore, my hope that today’s inauguration of the Operational vehicles will improve the quality of road safety management approach in Nigeria.”

In his welcome address, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dauda Biu, pointed out that inadequate patrol, rescue and recovery logistics continue to hinder the ability of the Corps to perform optimally.

Biu noted, “Inadequate facilities continue to undermine our effective presence on the wide network of roads across the country, and the promptness with which we attend to rescue and clearance of obstruction needs on our roads.”

Expressing optimism, the Corps Marshal stated that the provision of the vehicles would surely beef up the operational capability of the corps, adding that its “corporate strategic goal for this year is to achieve 5% reduction in road traffic fatalities and traffic injuries in 2023 alone.

“The present leadership of the Corps is committed to both development agendas, and these vehicles will give a push to the existing efforts already in place to achieve this set goal.

“Let me, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Corps, reaffirm the readiness and preparedness of the Corps to perform optimally with these additional tools.”

Biu assured that the new vehicles will be deployed for immediate use across areas of need all over the country.

He added that the Corps has established 102 formations consisting of 34 Area Commands, 56 Unit Commands, 10 outposts, and 2 Zebra Commands.

“It’s noteworthy that these offices were provided by various governments and public-spirited individuals and groups in recognition of the FRSC effort at reducing road traffic crashes and saving lives on our highways,” Biu said.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory, Olusola Adesola, stated that the commissioning was sustained support by the Federal Government to meet the needs of the agency.