The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi, has confirmed that FRSC is neither recruiting nor doing any form of replacement as is being insinuated by some fraudsters outside, warning staff to desist from such rumour or face the wrath of the law in accordance with the FRSC Disciplinary Codes. He stated this today while addressing staff of the National Headquarters at the Corps Marshal’s weekly Parade.
According to Bisi Kazeem Head Media Relations and Strategy In a press release, Oyeyemi says the rumour of recruitment being spread by some fraudulent persons with intent to dupe unsuspecting members of the public must be ignored, saying any staff who is caught engaging in such act of rumour mongering will have himself to blame. He stressed that there was no way FRSC could engage in recruitment exercise without following due process which includes wide publicity to give every Nigerian opportunity to participate in it.
“My attention was drawn to the rumour, and I want to put it directly to you, that FRSC is neither recruiting nor doing any form of replacement as people are insinuating outside,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its logistics provisions for the FRSC, noting that the 283 operational vehicles which the President commissioned for the Corps last month coupled with the ongoing construction of office accommodation in 5 states of the Federation demonstrates President Buhari’s passion for road safety. He added that the empowerment has enabled the FRSC to carry out its responsibilities of making the roads safe and called on staff to rededicate themselves in order to reciprocate the gestures.
On indiscipline among staff, the Corps Marshal warned staff to embrace discipline in their official conduct and dealings with members of the public, stressing that report of criminal activities of some staff reaching him is quite disturbing. Oyeyemi warned that FRSC as a disciplined organisation will not condone any form of criminal act from any staff, adding that those that rush to the media to spread unfounded rumours must stop forthwith, as FRSC has avenues for staff to confirm authenticity of any report, instead of rushing to the media to spread lies that compromise the integrity of the Corps.
“I am disturbed by the activities of some staff who are fond of rushing to the media especially, radio to spread lies that undermine the integrity of the FRSC. That must stop forthwith. I have made it clear before that I would never allow anything that go against the interest of the staff, and I stand by that commitment,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal frowned at the activities of some staff who get themselves involved in criminal acts like extortion, stealing, kidnapping or connivance with any person or group to commit criminal acts to stop immediately, saying such staff would be promptly handed over to the appropriate authorities and would not enjoy any form of protection from the Corps. He particularly warned staff to avoid touting and production of fake driver’s licence, pointing out that such practices would be fruitless as the current licensing system is foolproof and technology-driven, which makes it easy to detect fake from genuine ones.
He was emphatic that any staff who is traced to any fake licence would pay dearly for the act, including criminal prosecution in court. Speaking on physical fitness of staff, the Corps Marshal enjoined every personnel to take issues of their health serious by engaging in physical fitness exercise, regular checkup and visit to hospital whenever the need arose. He gave assurances that Management will not abandon any staff that is challenged on health ground, but warned them not to hide their health status until it got worse.
This he said will not be in the interest of the family and the FRSC, as a caring organisation. He therefore, called on Commanding Officers to ensure full participation of staff in the weekly games and monthly walking/jogging exercise to increase the level of fitness of the staff. On staff welfare, the Corps Marshal reiterated his commitment to providing welfare for the staff, saying to this end, two hundred million naira (N200, 000,000) has been approved from the Post Service Scheme (PSS) to serve as loan for staff who wish to procure personal vehicle, with three years payback period.
According to him, Management will not compel any staff to purchase a particular make of vehicle, while disbursement of the loan to the beneficiaries would soon take place in a ceremony that would take place at Abuja. He assured that the “One man, one House” project is course, disclosing that a scheme is being worked out particularly for Junior Marshals to enable them benefit from the scheme. He stated that very soon, he would come out with a specific pronouncement when the ongoing process is completed.
On promotion, the Corps Marshal disclosed that promotion exercise would soon commence with Junior Marshals’ own taking place first. He said, in line with the extant policy, promotion would be computer based for Officers an all Ranks and Marshals on Inspectorate cadre. The Corps Marshal however, made it clear that with the limited vacancies available, promotion will be competitive for the participants, urging them to increase their intellectual and practical knowledge of the job to improve their performances and possibility for elevation.
Oyeyemi reiterated the need for staff to remain apolitical both in their conduct and utterances on political issues, saying as a regimental organisation, members of the FRSC are not supposed to engage in activities or make public comments that show their political leanings. On rescue ethics, the Corps Marshal directed that on no account should rescue or patrol teams upload pictures of crash victims on their facebook, saying such acts embarrass the family of the victims.
The Corps Marshal stressed the need for increased productivity among staff, noting that the sacrifice of the founding fathers must not be allowed to be in vain through the indolence and ineptitude of some staff. He prayed for the good health of all staff across the country and expressed satisfaction with the comportment shown by the staff on the parade, saying such outlook should be sustained in all subsequent parades and other activities of the Corps.
