By Michael Agbaji
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs has commended the improved professionalism and operational discipline of officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while raising concerns over rising personnel and overhead costs in the agency’s 2026 budget proposal.
The Chairman of the Committee, Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, gave the commendation during an oversight engagement with the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, at the National Assembly.
Lawmakers noted visible improvements in the conduct of road safety officers nationwide, citing enhanced composure, discipline, and structured command during field operations. The Committee described the development as a reflection of strengthened leadership and ongoing internal reforms within the Corps.
A member of the Committee, Kevin Chukwu, representing Enugu State, specifically praised officers for their maturity and professionalism in handling challenging enforcement situations. He observed that measurable progress deserves recognition, particularly in an environment where enforcement agencies are frequently subjected to public scrutiny.
Despite the commendation, the Committee undertook a detailed review of the FRSC’s 2026 budget estimates. Members questioned the proposed increase in personnel costs from ₦84 billion in 2025 to ₦99.737 billion in 2026, as well as the rise in overhead expenditure from ₦10 billion to ₦26 billion.
The Committee requested comprehensive justifications for the increases, including detailed staff strength data, wage adjustments, allowance structures, and clarification on items reportedly reclassified under overhead costs.
Lawmakers also expressed concern over weak capital budget implementation and stressed the need for tangible improvements in rescue infrastructure, particularly along high-risk highways and accident-prone corridors.
On emergency response, the Committee emphasized that while enforcement standards have improved, response time to road crashes and other emergencies must be strengthened through enhanced funding, strategically located rescue stations, and the provision of modern operational equipment.
The Committee further called for deeper collaboration between the FRSC, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Ministry of Works to address engineering defects, poor road signage, and other structural challenges contributing to road traffic accidents.
In his response, the Corps Marshal reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to sustained reforms, continuous personnel training, and modernization of operations to improve service delivery and boost public confidence.
The Committee reiterated that its oversight function remains constructive and focused on promoting accountability, transparency, and institutional growth, with the ultimate goal of reducing road fatalities and improving safety across the nation.
