FRSC boss tasks marshals on professionalism

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The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has charged frontline marshals to uphold discipline, integrity, fairness and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

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Mohammed gave the charge on Tuesday at a two-day capacity-building programme for frontline marshals of the RS10, Sokoto Sector Command.

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Represented by the Zonal Corps Marshal, ACM Fredrick Ogidan, the Corps Marshal said the training was part of efforts to strengthen the competence and operational effectiveness of personnel.

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He said, “The programme forms part of the Corps’ deliberate efforts to strengthen the competence, professionalism and operational effectiveness of our frontline personnel, and the management’s commitment to equipping our marshals to meet the demands of modern road safety operations.”

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Mohammed described frontline marshals as the most visible representatives of the Corps, stressing that their conduct and interactions with motorists could shape public perception of the organisation.

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He said, “The impression formed by members of the public about the FRSC is often influenced by their direct encounters with our personnel on the road. Consequently, our conduct, communication, appearance and manner of enforcement must always reflect the standard expected of a professional road safety organisation.”

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The Corps Marshal further urged the marshals to deploy emotional intelligence and fairness while enforcing traffic regulations, noting that enforcement should not result in unnecessary confrontation.

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“Fairness is necessary for effective enforcement, but fairness must not require unnecessary confrontation. Enforcement must be professional, measured, consistent and respectful of the dignity of the road user,” he said.

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He also reminded the personnel that the FRSC uniform represented the authority of government and should therefore be worn and exercised responsibly.

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According to him, the mandate of the Corps goes beyond traffic control and enforcement, as marshals must be able to identify hazards, manage emerging risks and respond appropriately to changing traffic situations.

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He charged commanders and facilitators to sustain the gains of the training through effective supervision, mentoring, coaching and periodic assessment.

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The Sokoto Sector Commander, Corps Commander Adamu Argungu, in his welcome address, said the changing road safety environment made continuous training of personnel necessary.

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Argungu identified increased traffic volumes, distracted driving, vehicle overloading, poor road infrastructure and technological developments among emerging challenges confronting road safety.

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He said, “It is therefore necessary for our marshals to continuously update their knowledge and improve their operational skills.”

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The sector commander urged participants to actively participate in the sessions, ask questions and share practical experiences from the field.

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He added that marshals were not only enforcement officers but also road safety educators, traffic managers and ambassadors of the FRSC.

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Also speaking, a guest speaker and facilitator, retired Deputy Corps Marshal, Shehu Zaki, described the programme as an opportunity for renewal and reorientation of personnel.

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Zaki said the operational environment in Nigeria had changed significantly, creating new challenges for government agencies, including the FRSC.

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“Somebody who has worked for more than 35 years would tell you definitely that the operational environment of many organisations has dramatically changed,” he said.

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According to him, the present operating environment is “highly charged” and characterised by increasing vulnerability and provocation, making continuous training and reorientation of personnel imperative.

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Zaki urged the participants to take advantage of the programme and listen attentively to the lectures on ethics, values, emotional intelligence, rule of law and other areas.

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He said the objective was to ensure that participants returned to their respective commands with improved knowledge and a better understanding of their responsibilities.

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“I want to advise each and every one of you that this is a rare opportunity. Do not squander this opportunity. Sit down quietly, listen attentively for you to make maximum benefit of your coming to this place,” he said.

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He expressed confidence that the training would contribute to improving the professionalism and effectiveness of the Corps in serving the Nigerian public.

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