The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has said the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicle (EV) initiatives are attracting investment into Nigeria and creating employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
Mohammed made the remarks at an event organised by the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU) in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Lagos.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for championing the clean energy initiative, saying it had positioned Nigeria to benefit from the global transition to environmentally sustainable transportation.
According to the Corps Marshal, the policy aligns with Goal 13 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on climate action by promoting green energy and cleaner transport systems.
He said the initiative had encouraged investment in Nigeria’s automotive industry, leading to the establishment of assembly plants for electric and CNG-powered vehicles, as well as companies producing CNG cylinders, conversion kits and related technologies.
Mohammed also expressed confidence that major road infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, would complement the clean transport initiative and support Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Goal 11.2 of the SDGs, which seeks to provide safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems by 2030.
“Really, it’s a massive investment that is coming into Nigeria and also creating significant employment opportunities, helping to reduce unemployment,” he said.
“I believe that with this initiative, alongside the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and ongoing rehabilitation of roads across the country, we are on course to achieving the United Nations Goal 11.2 of providing safe, accessible, affordable, reliable and sustainable transport systems for all Nigerians by 2030.”
The Corps Marshal stressed that reducing road crashes and fatalities should not be the sole responsibility of the FRSC, noting that governments at all levels, traditional institutions, community leaders, motorists and passengers all have important roles to play.
He disclosed that the FRSC had expanded its public enlightenment campaigns beyond motor parks to communities through town hall meetings aimed at promoting safer road use.
Mohammed also expressed concern over the continued practice of transporting passengers alongside goods and livestock, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria. He attributed the trend partly to low literacy levels and inadequate public awareness, and called on state governments, local councils and community leaders to intensify road safety education.
He further urged journalists to sustain public awareness campaigns and promote accurate reporting to support the country’s target of reducing road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030.
The Corps Marshal also disclosed that the FRSC continues to incur substantial medical expenses treating personnel who are knocked down by reckless motorists while on duty, with several officers having lost their lives in such incidents.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed said the corps would continue to strengthen its operations through technology-driven enforcement, professionalism, staff development and closer collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
