The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is strengthening efforts to end the rejection of road crash victims by hospitals, warning that healthcare facilities could face penalties for refusing to provide emergency treatment.

The Corps Public Education Officer, DCC Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this during an appearance on the Nigeria Television Authority’s (NTA) Good Morning Nigeria programme, where he discussed the human stories behind road crash statistics.

Ohaeri explained that the Corps had intensified its engagement with relevant government authorities to ensure that provisions addressing the rejection of accident victims by hospitals were incorporated into traffic regulations.

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According to him, hospitals found guilty of rejecting road crash victims could face a fine of ₦50,000, although he noted that the provision was undergoing further review.

He said the measure was designed to ensure that victims receive immediate medical attention instead of being turned away when they arrive at healthcare facilities.

“The essence of doing that is that no accident victim will be taken to hospital without getting attention,” Ohaeri said.

He added that the consequences of rejecting crash victims extend beyond financial penalties, as such actions could also damage the reputation of the hospitals involved.

The FRSC spokesman also highlighted other measures introduced by the Corps to improve emergency response and reduce fatalities, including its Road Traffic Data Management System, which helps identify high-risk locations for targeted interventions and deployment of personnel.

He explained that the agency uses the data gathered to guide its policies, determine areas requiring urgent attention and strengthen its road safety operations.

Ohaeri further disclosed that the FRSC operates a 24-hour call centre that receives reports of road crashes and other traffic-related emergencies before connecting callers to the nearest command for prompt intervention.

According to him, the system has helped reduce the Corps’ emergency response time from approximately 10 minutes to nearly three minutes.

He said trained paramedics and emergency response teams are subsequently deployed to accident scenes to provide assistance to victims.

“So within that golden hour, you see a road safety personnel arriving at the scene with a team, because our paramedics have been trained to respond to such, and it has actually paid off,” he said.

Ohaeri, however, acknowledged that the Corps had yet to achieve its desired level of emergency response, stressing that efforts were ongoing to improve rescue operations and minimise fatalities from road crashes.

Shell has commended the recent reforms in the oil and gas industry as a right step in Nigeria’s aspiration to unlock more barrels of oil.

Delivering a goodwill message at the 44th annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos today, Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni acknowledged the fiscal and regulatory incentives that have enhanced the competitiveness of Nigeria’s deepwater sector, strengthened investor confidence and reinforced her position as a destination for long-term energy investments.

“We look forward to deepening our partnership with NAPE, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), government and industry stakeholders as we work together to unlock more barrels, grow reserves, attract investment, and deliver greater value for Nigeria,” she said.

The theme of the five-day conference is: “Unlocking More Barrels: Driving Reserves Growth through Exploration, Local Capabilities and Adaptive Technology,” with geoscientists and associated professionals from within and outside the country in attendance.

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Aiboni described the theme as “timely and relevant as our industry works to strengthen energy security, attract investment and unlock Nigeria’s vast resource potential.” She commended NAPE President Olajumoke Cecelia Ajayi and the leadership team “for bringing industry stakeholders together around these critical priorities and for fostering the collaboration needed to drive reserves growth and sustainable investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.”

Aiboni also commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) “for its unwavering focus on growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon production and reserves and continued partnership with industry in creating an enabling environment for investment and growth.”

Earlier, the NAPE president had acknowledged Aiboni’s achievements as Managing Director of SNEPCo and wished her more milestones in her role as Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria.

Shell is a principal sponsor of the 44th annual international conference and exhibition of NAPE and is mounting an exhibition on its operations in Nigeria. Aiboni led dignitaries on a visit to the stand, including, Special Adviser to the Presidency on Energy, Olu Verheijen.

Photo Caption: Cross-section of delegates and industry stakeholders at the Shell booth during the 44th Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference and Exhibition at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.

The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.

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In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.

Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.

She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.

According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.

The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.

The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.

It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.