FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS POISED TO SANCTION AND PROSECUTE FLEET OPERATORS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE 23-11-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal Road Safety Corps says it will not hesitate to sanction and prosecute Fleet Operators over non compliance to safety standards in the country
The Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali-Biu who made this known at the 2023 Safety Managers Retreat in Abuja said the Corps would no longer tolerate the failure of fleet operators to adhere strictly to the term of Road Transport Safety standardization Scheme
Ali-Biu who was represented by the Assistant Corpse Marshal Mrs. Amuche Nwaka, the Corps Marshal said the penalty will include suspension from operation fleet operators that fail to meet the safety standards
Mr Ali-Biu said investigation reveals that most recorded fleet operations related accidents could have been avoided if the concerned safety managers had been committed to their roles.
According to the Corpse Marshal Reflecting on the outcome of the 2022 fleet operators certification exercise as well as the aforementioned observed gaps, the following measures as backed by law shall come into force:
All observed non-compliant Fleet Operators in any of the identified areas will be served with pre-action notices for prosecution and no going back on this.
Fleet Operators who refused to allow certification teams access to their premises will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Fleet Operators who fail to meet certification standards twice will be suspended from operations.”
In a message, the Executive Vice chairman Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Mr. Babatunde Irukera said Consumer protection is at the core mandate and as stakeholders to ensure that the consumers have some rights as consumers of transportation services such as the Right to Safety.
Irukera explained further “The implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS) is a step in the right direction, and the Commission commend the FRSC for its commitment to aligning with global best practices.”
He appealed to the fleet operators to respect the rights of consumer
“Please know that consumers have some rights as consumers of transportation services.
Right to Safety: Every road user has the right to expect that the transport provider adhere to the highest safety standards. Right to Information in a Plain and Understandable Language: Consumers have the right to be informed about the safety features and standards of the vehicles
Right to Choose: Consumers should have the option to choose transportation services that prioritize safety and adheres to established standards.
Right to Redress: In the event of safety concerns or incidents, consumers have the right to seek redress and expect a fair and effective resolution. Right to Refund and Compensation: If a journey is canceled, delayed, or interrupted.”
No fewer than Four Hundred fleet operators across the country attended the retreat with the theme Implementation of Vehicle Safety Standards: An Indispensable Aspect of Road Traffic Crash Reduction in Nigeria.