By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has commissioned the newly built Divers Proficiency Centre at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshals Inspectorate Training School (MITS) situated in Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of the State.
SPADE NG News gathered that the FRSC’s Drivers Proficiency Centre (DPC) which was inaugurated today, is where Government drivers and organized drivers sector would be trained on safe driving from time to time.
In his remarks, Governor Okowa who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that today’s ceremony was another step forward by the FRSC Marshal Inspectorate Training School to protect our roads from bad drivers and ensure safety on our roads.
The Delta State Governor noted that the leading cause of death resulting from road accidents was bad driving. That Most drivers, commercial and private, were not conversant with road signs and safe driving habits, hence, their proper training and sensitization were pivotal to reducing avoidable deaths on our roads.
“I am glad that the FRSC is making progress in this regard with the commissioning of the Driving Proficiency Centre, which incorporates a Driver Simulator Centre and ICT Centre. This is a very welcome development and underscores the commitment of the agency to achieving its core objectives”. He added.
According to Okowa, “It is imperative for our drivers to be given the requisite training, education, skills, and comportment that the job demands for safer highways and intra-city commute. The idea that someone can just get behind the steering and drive on Our roads without proper instruction is a clear and present danger to the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. Like every other vocation, drivers need to be properly equipped with the basic skills necessary, as well as be well acquainted with road traffic rules and regulations. The importance of this centre cannot, therefore, be overemphasized”.
While commending the Corps Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi for his commitment and tenacity of purpose, Okowa disclosed that nothing gladdens his heart more than to see that the facility was being put to good and effective use. That during its construction, he faced criticisms from the naysayers who questioned the rationale and necessity of the project. But with what has been happening there since it was commissioned in May 2022, even those critics will agree that the investment was not worth it.
Adding, he said not only was this community was also feeling the impact, that any smart investor would quickly spot the potentials that were cropping up in real estate and retail business.
Concluding his remarks, Okowa urged the participants at the course to take it seriously. “Your job as a driver is a very important and delicate one. How you perform on the job often makes the difference between life and death. Hence, you must be passionate about learning all you can about driving protocols and road signals, observe speed limits, and don’t make telephone calls, talk, or read /send text messages while you drive.
Earlier, Corps Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi said the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was the Government Agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria. That FRSC operates in all Nigerian states as well as the Federal Capital Territory and ilwas the leading agency in Nigeria on road safety administration and management.
Oyeyemi disclosed that the statutory functions of FRSC include: Making the highways safe for motorists and other road users as well as checking road worthiness of vehicles, recommending works and infrastructures to eliminate or minimize accidents on the highways and educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of road discipline on the highways.
Fifty drivers were selected from the Delta State Civil Service for the first phase of government training at the newly built and inaugurated Drivers Proficiency Centre of Marshals Inspectorate Training School of the FRSC situated in Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.