FRSC Commences New School Bus Operation Guidelines, September

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is to commence the implementation of the approved guidelines for school bus operations in the country from September, 2012.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC, Assistant Corps Marshall, Yakubu Attah, disclosed this during the sensitisation programme on the implementation of approved standard for school buses in Port Harcourt.

Attah said that the implementation becomes necessary to stem the high rate of accident involving school buses in the country.

“The need for a regulated uniform standard for school buses in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised.

“Child safety is an integral part of road safety, due to the vulnerability and dependent nature of children of school age.”

He said that the guidelines and standards specify requirements and safety features that must be met by all school buses in the country, and expressed the hope that those involved will fully embrace the guidelines to enhance the safety of children.

Also speaking, the Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission, Rivers State, Mr Kayode Olagunju, said that the guidelines which is in line with international standard was approved by the Federal Executive Council.

While decrying the rate of accidents involving school buses in the country, Mr Olugunju said that most school bus drivers in the country were not competent.

According to him, it was to check this situation, that the Commission decided to work with other stakeholders to formulate the guidelines.

In his lecture, Mr Odoyor Hamilton, an assistant corps commander said that drivers and assistant drivers in the country must henceforth undergo fitness test, with no criminal records, while their employment must be made competitive.