Osinbajo inaugurates Road Safety training school in Delta State

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Marshall Inspectorate Training School at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Council of Delta State.

Built by the Delta State government, the school is designed to cater for the inspectorate cadre of the corps, and is the fourth of such training school established by the agency in its quest to ensure safety and reduce carnage on Nigerian roads.

The FRSC Marshall Inspectorate Training School seats on 20 hectares of land and consists of an administration building, a 500-seater auditorium, a lecture hall, library, hostels, clinic, among other facilities.

Vice President Osinbajo said at the inauguration on Thursday that the construction of the school showed that effective collaboration between the Nigerian government through its agencies and state governments would bring about more dividends and improved service delivery for Nigerians.

He said; “it is an excellent exemplar of the benefits of collaboration between State Governments and Federal Government agencies. And as it should be, the ultimate beneficiaries are the good people of Delta State and the Country at large.”

Commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the construction of the modern, fully furnished buildings, Professor Osinbajo noted that it was a thoughtful contribution of the state government towards making Nigerian roads safer.

He said; “I am persuaded to encourage all levels of government to emulate Delta, Enugu, Plateau, and Oyo States which have exemplified this spirit of cooperation for development by their tremendous support for the Road Safety institutions within their jurisdictions.”

The Vice President also commended the cordial relationship between the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the FRSC which according to him “has led to the establishment of two additional training institutions in the last one year.

Lauding the efforts of the FRSC management over the years, Professor Osinbajo said; “indeed the choice of Nigeria as one of the Centers of Excellence for road safety in Africa by the Africa Development Bank is a clear acknowledgment of the considerable contributions of the FRSC to the development of road safety in the region.”

“The Corps has continued to show appreciable determination to build staff capacity as a major requirement for the understanding of road traffic matters as well as tackling the associated challenges.

“These laudable efforts of the Corps are in alignment with the Policy thrust of the Present Administration in its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Part of the critical focus of the ERGP is capacity building and skill acquisition interventions,” Professor Osinbajo explained.

He said that the Nigerian Government would continue to support organisations that demonstrate commitment to their statutory duties and appreciated the government and people of Delta State for the huge financial resources dedicated to the project.

“It is certainly an investment with long-term returns to the immediate community, the State, and the country in general. I wish to charge personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps to put this institution to the best of use,” he added.

The Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa thanked the Vice President for taking a keen interest in the progress and development of Delta State.

His words: “Delta State is the VP’s adopted home. Since the inception of our administration in 2015, the Vice President has taken more than a keen interest in our progress and development as a State. He has made it his priority time and time again, to be part of what is going on here in our dear State.”

“Your Excellency, we greatly value your support, friendship, and partnership. You have shown yourself to be a true patriot, a completely detribalized Nigerian with abiding faith in the unity and progress of a country where justice, equity, and fairness reigns

“This project that is about to be commissioned is a good example of what can happen where there is understanding, cooperation, and synergy between the national and sub-national governments irrespective of political affiliations,” Governor Okowa noted.

The Corps Marshall, FRSC, Mr. Boboyi Oyeyemi said that the training school would not only improve the human capacity building of the corps but also contribute to urbanisation of the community.

Besides Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, other dignitaries at the event included; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who accompanied the Vice President, the Obi of Owa-Alero,

His Royal Majesty Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, who is also the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, also led other traditional rulers to the event.

Before commissioning the school, the VP paid a courtesy call on the Obi of Owa-Alero, where the traditional ruler commended the Vice President for his progressive politics that he observed transcends partisanship.