FRSC denies abusing VIO officials

CORPS Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Osita Chidoka, has denied media reports that he referred to officials of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (popularly called Vehicle Inspection Officers) as old and illiterates.

The corps marshal, who spoke through the Corps Public Education Officer, Nseobong Akpabio, said Thursday that the corps marshal expressed his displeasure over the abusive words that were published in a national daily and insisted that the issue of road safety is not meant for the FRSC alone.

Akpabio explained that the corps marshal who spoke as a guest lecturer at an in-house workshop organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), stated that apart from Abuja and Lagos, many other states of the federation do not have the required number of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) because the replacement of retired staff was not carried out promptly.

He said the corps marshal appealed to state governments to give more prominence to the VIO and to also establish motor vehicle administration agencies that would adequately man their activities.

According to him, the corps marshal also urged all state government to recognise the relevance of staff training and said it could boost effectiveness and proper discharge of duties.

The FRSC education officer advised journalists to be objective, accurate and project the truth while reporting issues.