FRSC CONCLUDES PLANS FOR 2012 CERTIFICATION OF FLEET OPERATORS

The Federal Road Safety Corps has concluded plans for the 2nd  Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme certification of fleet operators, slated to commence nationwide on 23rd January, 2012 as part of sustained strategy to entrench minimum safety standard for fleet operators in the public and private sector.

This is in line with Section 115 (2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR), 2004, made in pursuance to Sections 5 and 10 (10) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007, which mandates FRSC to “maintain a databank of all Transport Operators having up to five (5) vehicles in their fleet and shall issue appropriate forms for data collection, certification and registration for Operators, Safety Officers and all necessary operational activities as may be required from time to time”.

Section 115 (1) of the NRTR (2004) also provides that “all Transport Operators who engage in interstate road transport services shall establish a safety Unit, appoint a Safety Officer as the Head for the Unit who shall ensure that operational standards are maintained as prescribed in these regulations.

THE CONCEPT: The concept of the RTSSS includes the following:- Regulate Road Transportation in Nigeria; Ensure Safe and Standardized Fleet Transport Operation for all; Check the excesses of Transport Operators which often lead to loss of lives and property and entrench a culture of safety consciousness in organizations and companies with Fleet of Vehicles.

Details of requirements for the certification  include:- Registration of the operators with the FRSC, Establishment of Safety Units, appointment of competent Safety Officers/Managers, operating with competent and well trained drivers; others are Conducive operating terminals, good road safety policy – documentation and practice, comprehensive vehicle maintenance policy, operating Manifest for passenger vehicles and Compliance with the guidelines/safety requirement for articulated Lorries (Tankers and Trailers) as approved by all Stakeholders and published, for those in the haulage business as well as inscription of contact telephone numbers on vehicles, provision of recovery vehicles (or proper arrangement/networking on this) and well designed evacuation plan and entrenching security plans among others.

It will be recalled that the 1st phase of the certification exercise took place in January last year with the certification of 931 fleet operators out the 2,815 who were inspected. The various categories of certificates issued during the exercise include 42 for class “A” for attaining 80% compliance level to standards and specifications while 155 made class “B” for 60% compliance and 312 class “C” certification for 50% compliance level.