The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appealed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) for the prompt release of allocated funds to boost its operational effectiveness nationwide.
The appeal was made during a working visit to the FRSC headquarters in Abuja by the newly appointed Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shemseldeen Ogunjimi. The Corps Marshal, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, stressed that the timely disbursement of funds is vital for the agency to meet its increasing responsibilities in maintaining road safety and reducing traffic-related incidents across Nigeria.
According to a statement released by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the Corps Marshal outlined the pressing logistical and field operational challenges the FRSC faces, noting that these obstacles hinder the agency’s ability to fully execute its mandate of ensuring safety on the nation’s roads.
“Road safety is now a global development priority, and it requires consistent enforcement to yield the desired results. Without adequate financial support, enforcement efforts will continue to suffer,” Mohammed stated.
He acknowledged the previous support received from the Treasury over the years, especially in funding key national patrol operations and public safety campaigns, but noted that current fiscal constraints have made field operations more difficult to sustain.
Mohammed emphasized the need for improved budgetary allocations and timely cash releases to cover areas such as the maintenance of patrol vehicles, procurement of safety gadgets, training and welfare of officers, as well as public awareness campaigns. He reiterated that the corps operates daily under strenuous conditions to safeguard lives and property on highways, particularly during peak travel periods such as religious and festive holidays.
In his response, Accountant-General Ogunjimi commended the FRSC for its unrelenting efforts in ensuring road safety and reducing the rate of fatal accidents despite limited resources. He pledged that his office would prioritize the financial needs of the agency and fast-track the release of funds going forward.
“Your men are on the frontline every day, often risking their lives to protect others. At the Treasury, we understand the weight of that responsibility and will ensure your requests receive the urgent attention they deserve,” Ogunjimi assured.
He further expressed the OAGF’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Treasury and the FRSC, stating that collaboration between both agencies is essential to achieving national development goals tied to road safety and transportation infrastructure.
Industry observers note that the FRSC’s call for financial support comes at a time when Nigeria faces rising road fatalities. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, over 13,000 road traffic crashes were recorded in 2024 alone, with inadequate enforcement and poor infrastructure listed among the leading causes.
Stakeholders have called on the federal government to prioritize road safety funding in the 2025 supplementary budget and also explore public-private partnerships to support FRSC initiatives. Experts argue that timely funding could significantly boost the corps’ operational reach and enable it to deploy technology-driven enforcement tools, such as speed cameras, mobile courts, and automated number plate recognition systems.
As the rainy season begins and Eid-El-Kabir approaches—two periods known for increased vehicular traffic—the FRSC’s appeal for urgent funding underscores a larger national need: ensuring that road safety enforcement agencies are not starved of resources in their mission to save lives.