The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has given a sweeping nationwide directive aimed at stamping out unprofessional conduct, indiscipline and extortion.
This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Ohaeri, the directive will also monitor abuse of authority and every form of misconduct during patrol operations, reaffirming that integrity, discipline and respect for human dignity remained the bedrock of the corps’ operational philosophy.
“The directive follows the Corps Marshal’s resolve to continually strengthen public confidence in FRSC by ensuring that every patrol operation reflects the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and accountability”, he said.
Ohaeri quoted the Corps Marshal as describing every encounter between FRSC personnel and members of the public as an opportunity either to reinforce or diminish the trust Nigerians have reposed in the corps.
“All Commanding Officers across the country have been mandated to intensify supervision of patrol teams, strengthen ethical reorientation through regular lectures, parade sessions and pre-patrol briefings”.
He said it should be done while ensuring absolute compliance with the FRSC Establishment Act, operational guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures.
Mohammed stressed that no patrol operative should be influenced by the perceived status, appearance or social standing of any road user, noting that professionalism demands that every Nigerian be treated with fairness, dignity, courtesy and respect at all times.
He emphasized that patrol personnel must conduct themselves with patience and restraint, while refraining from acts capable of being perceived as intimidation, harassment, extortion, abuse of authority or any other form of unethical conduct.
He also directed that all enforcement activities must remain lawful, transparent and properly documented, warning that every interaction between patrol personnel and members of the public could be recorded, scrutinized and subjected to public accountability.
He reminded officers that integrity is not negotiable and that public trust remains one of the corps’ greatest operational assets.
The Corps Marshal then warned that any officer found engaging in acts of misconduct or compromising the image and integrity of the corps would face prompt disciplinary action in accordance with the FRSC Regulations on Discipline.
He charged commanding officers to ensure strict enforcement of the directive, which takes immediate effect, and hold patrol commanders accountable for the conduct of personnel under their supervision.
The Corps Marshal reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption and unprofessionalism.
He said that the FRSC remained committed to building a service driven by discipline, excellence and ethical leadership.
He assured Nigerians that the corps would continue to reform its operations to guarantee professional service delivery, protect the rights of road users and sustain the confidence the public has built in the organization over the years.
The FRSC boss called on all personnel to see the directive not merely as an administrative instruction but as a renewed commitment to the ideals of honor, integrity and selfless service that define the FRSC
He then urged the motoring public to continue supporting the corps in its collective mission of making Nigerian roads safer for all.(NAN).
