The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appealed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to release funds quickly so the agency can carry out its duties effectively across Nigeria.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr Shehu Mohammed, made this appeal during a working visit by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shemseldeen Ogunjimi, to the FRSC headquarters in Abuja. The visit took place earlier this week and was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by Mr Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF.
Mr Mohammed said the FRSC is fully committed to making Nigerian roads safer. However, he noted that the agency is facing several operational challenges due to funding delays. He stressed that road safety enforcement requires continuous and adequate financial support, especially in a country like Nigeria where road traffic issues are widespread.
He explained that road safety is now a major global concern and no country can improve road safety without giving proper support to the agencies responsible for it. “While noting that no strategy to promote road safety can succeed without adequate enforcement, the Corps Marshal highlighted the operational challenges faced by the FRSC and sought the AGF’s support in addressing them through enhanced budgetary provisions and timely releases of funds,” the statement said.
Mr Mohammed also thanked the Accountant-General’s Office for its past support, saying that the relationship between the FRSC and the Treasury has been beneficial over the years. But he urged for even stronger cooperation, especially when it comes to ensuring that funds are released without delay.
The Corps Marshal emphasised that delays in funding affect field operations, logistics, and the availability of resources needed to respond quickly to road accidents, deploy personnel, and maintain road safety equipment.
In his response, Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shemseldeen Ogunjimi, promised that his office would continue to support the FRSC. He assured the Corps that all financial requests would be treated as urgent, especially as the agency’s work directly affects public safety.
Ogunjimi said, “Your officers and men are always on the road, trying to keep the roads safe. For us at the Treasury, we will continue to support the FRSC. I want to assure you that every bit of your request and needs will be given prompt attention.”
He also acknowledged the risks taken by FRSC officers, saying the Treasury values the sacrifices they make every day to ensure safe travel for Nigerians.
The Accountant-General said that his office recognises how crucial the FRSC’s operations are and would continue to give the agency high priority in the allocation of resources. He added that the Treasury would work more closely with the FRSC to improve the flow of funds and reduce delays that affect the agency’s work on the ground.
Ogunjimi said the longstanding relationship between both institutions must be strengthened further for the benefit of Nigerians. He called for teamwork and said improved coordination between the FRSC and the OAGF would help boost road safety and save lives.
This latest appeal comes as the FRSC intensifies its nationwide operations ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir holidays. The Corps has already deployed 36,000 personnel across the country for a special patrol to manage the expected increase in road traffic during the festive period.
The call for better funding also reflects a growing concern among government agencies about budget shortfalls and delays in fund releases, which often affect service delivery.
With Nigeria’s road network facing many safety issues, observers say adequate funding of the FRSC is necessary to improve response time, enforce road rules, and reduce accidents.
