The House of Representatives has taken significant steps to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act of 2007 by passing a bill aimed at establishing the FRSC Special Armed Squad during its session on Thursday.
This proposed legislation would grant officers the authority to carry firearms in the execution of their duties.
If passed into law, this legislation would permit FRSC officers to carry firearms while performing their duties. Jointly sponsored by Abiodun Adesida and Olaide Muhammed from the All Progressives Congress in Ondo and Oyo states, the bill received unanimous backing from other lawmakers after a successful voice vote.
According to the proposed legislation, officers at the rank of deputy corps marshal will be eligible for benefits associated with that position, including retirement benefits. Furthermore, the bill would grant these officers exclusive responsibility for traffic administration and safety management, focusing on preventing and minimizing road traffic accidents, overseeing road users, and regulating traffic.
Additionally, the officers will have the authority to clear road obstructions and educate motorists and the general public on proper road usage.
In a related motion introduced by Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, the House called on the FRSC to adopt technology-assisted enforcement strategies, including automatic vehicle location systems and advanced data analytics, to improve their operations. This motion was also adopted and referred to the House Committee on the FRSC for further consideration.
