The Kaduna State Government yesterday barred the FRSC from inspecting vehicles in Kaduna and other urban centres in the state.
The Special Assistant to the Governor, Samuel Aruwan issued this in a signed statement.
Aruwan said the decision was taken by the state Security Council
after a meeting in which it reviewed complaints from the general public
against the road marshals.
The government further directed the FRSC officials to henceforth,
concentrate their activities “in ensuring safe travel on highways such
as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway and other federal highways”.
Kaduna State Government had in May 2016 inaugurated traffic and
environmental agency, tagged: “Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental
Laws Enforcement Agency,” empowered by law to control and regulate
traffic around Kaduna metropolis and other towns.
Reacting the Corps stated that allegations that its officials were
engaging on indiscriminate mounting of checkpoints and extorting
motorists was unfortunate.
Francis Udoma, sector commander of the corps in the state, said no
motorist or any member of the public filed a complaint bordering on
extortion of any sort since he resumed.
Udoma said: “FRSC do not condone any form of corruption. Collecting
bribe under any guise is outright dismissal and our men are fully aware
of that.
“We are only doing our job as prescribed by the act that established FRSC.
“Asking motorists to pay fine for committing traffic offences is a
matter of law and no official collect any money from motorist, they pay
in the bank and the money goes to the federation account.
“But if Governor Nasir El-Rufai insists that we should leave, we will
do just that because he is the chief security officer and the number
one citizen of the state.
“But we will continue to discharge our duties where necessary in accordance with our mandate.”