ABUJA—A major crisis that may disrupt road transportation in Nigeria for a long period if not averted by the Presidency has broken out between commercial transporters in the country and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.
The crisis of confidence between the two parties arises over the decision by the commission to introduce speed limiter technology on commercial vehicles with effect from September 1 this year.
N35,000 for device, N1,000 for installation.A document, which was exclusively obtained by Vanguard last night, indicated that the FRSC is working in league with a private Nigerian firm to enforce the controversial deal, which would require each vehicle owner to buy the device for N35,000 and pay additional N1,000 for installation.
The transporters claim that with each of the 25 million vehicles in Nigeria paying N36,000 to the FRSC, it would rake in at least N900 billion from innocent Nigerians for a technology that would not add value to their lives.The transporters in a protest letter to the FRSC, which was obtained by Vanguard last night, warned the commission to desist from going ahead with the project, as it would endanger the lives of vehicles owners rather than protect them.They accused the FRSC of bringing to Nigeria an outdated technology, which had long been phased out in Britain, India, Kenya, Tanzania, United States of America and Uganda because of its adverse effects.
Threat to sue
The road transporters writing under the aegis of International Human Rights and Anti-corruption Society gave the FRSC one month with effect from August 17, 2015 to publicly declare the discontinuation of the device or face a court action.In the letter addressed to the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, and signed by the Director General, Dr. U.O. Udofia and Secretary General, Barrister E.A. Egbebu, the group also drew the attention of the commission that it lacks the power to introduce the said device under the Section 10 (3) of the FRSC Act of 2007.
It warned that the FRSC should adopt and use the world acclaimed Spider Technology that comes with a 3-in-one high definition camera with long range monitoring of highways to capture over speeding vehicles.The group pointed out that while it does not oppose the use of technology to control road speed limit on the highways, it would not fold its hands and allow the FRSC to bring in anything for money-making purpose and endanger the lives of vehicle owners.They complained that while the Spider technology was being used globally it was wrong for the FRSC to contemplate installing speed limiter on vehicles so that they do not run beyond the fixed limit even when pursued by armed robbers, kidnappers, hired killers and car snatchers.
“Speed limiter in all developed and African countries had been banned. Again speed limiter device had been discovered to expose motorists to danger such as armed robbery, car snatchers, hired killers and kidnappers.“Therefore, in a country like Nigeria where there is serious prevalence of insecurity, the installation of speed limiter in vehicles would be counterproductive and self-defeating,” the transporters said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission has insisted that the speed limiter will be enforced by the commission with effect from tomorrow.FRSC spokesman
The FRSC spokesman, Mr. Imoh Etuk, said that although it was the marketer of the product, it would however enforce it as agreed by all the transport stakeholders in the country.“Suffice it to say that the FRSC does not market the product but it will see to the enforcement as agreed by all stakeholders,” Etuk said in a text message to Vanguard last night.
Letter to Buhari
Meanwhile, a private company, has written to President Buhari to impress upon the FRSC to adopt the Spider technology in enforcing speed limit in Nigeria as is the case in other countries.
The company, Emeral Petlib Limited, in a letter dated July 21, 2015 and address to the President, said that the Spider technology, was the best since it uses high tech camera to monitor speed limit on highways but does not endanger the lives of vehicle owners like the Speed limiter
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