EFFECT OF PUBLIC REFORM MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION: CASE STUDY OF NASARAWA COMMAND, NASARAWA STATE

EFFECT OF PUBLIC REFORM MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION: CASE STUDY OF NASARAWA COMMAND, NASARAWA STATE

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Public management reform has become a priority on the political agenda of governments in major industrialized countries since the 1980s. Nowadays, the reform of public administration can be considered a stable and autonomous public policy and the object of a distinct stream of studies. Archer (2010) remarked that NPM concepts were thus wide concerned by countries of the planet that they currently have the standing of a global orthodoxy. Most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive, have embraced the movement and its principles within the usual manner of imitating policies from a lot of advanced countries. However, adoption and adaptation of policies usually found to be successful in developed countries to suit the environment of developing countries remain critical in public administration. Chittoo, Ramphul, and Nowbutsing (2009) posited that the NPM type of reforms implemented by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries is finding new “buyers” in developing countries, if not as a matter of choice, but surely as a matter of necessity to ensure international competitiveness of their economies in an era of globalization. But, the question is whether the developing countries and Nigeria, in particular, have made sufficient progress in taking up elements of the NPM in their public administration processes and if not why? Road safety activities commenced as soon as motor vehicles were introduced into the Nigerian roads in the 19th century. However, it was when the number of vehicles continued to increase and consequently the accident rate soared that the issue of having a comprehensive legislation came to lime light. By independence, the number of vehicles nearly doubled with the resultant eect
of sharp increase in the number of people involved in road traffic crashes. Road transportation is the most readily available mode of movement of goods and human resources from one point to the other. It is however not
without its challenges. The traffic situation in Nigeria before the establishment of the Federal Road Safety Commission could best be described as chaotic, unpredictable and indeed dangerous as it was characterized by unprecedented wave of road traffic crashes with attendant colossal human and material losses. Within this era, public awareness and interest in Road Safety was minimal. There was uncoordinated and haphazard licensing of drivers and vehicles as well as absence of good driving culture. Deliberate policies and concerted effort at enforcing regulations was lacking. As a specific response to the Road Safety questions with the challenges and obvious crash incidences, loss of lives that accompanied the overall utilization of the available facilities and
infrastructures, pushed the Federal Government of Nigeria to take a decisive step by establishing the Federal Road Safety Corps in 2009 vide Decree 45 of 2009, as amended by Decree 35 of 2010 which was later codified as CAP 141, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2011 and has now been repealed and replaced by FRSC Establishment Act, 2007. The Corps is saddled with the following responsibilities among other things to: Preventing and minimizing of Road Traffic Crashes; Clearing of obstructions on highways; Educating drivers, motorists and other members of the public on the proper use of the highways; Providing prompt attention and care to victims of Road Traffic Crashes; Conducting researches into causes of Road Traffic Crashes; Determining and enforcing speed limits for all categories of roads and vehicles; Cooperating with bodies, agencies and other relevant bodies engaged in road safety activities

EFFECT OF PUBLIC REFORM MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION: CASE STUDY OF NASARAWA COMMAND, NASARAWA STATE