Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, has announced that all commercial vehicles coming into the country from January 1, 2017must be fitted with the speed limit device.

Oyeyemi who was represented by the Head of Operations, FRSC Headquarters Abuja, Ojeme Ewhrudjakpor, made the announcement during a routine visit to the Kaduna State FRSC Sector Command.

The Corps Marshal noted that the measure was to ensure safety on Nigerian roads, adding that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, had written to all importers of vehicles to comply with the order.

“This will reduce the pains of buying a vehicle and be forced to spend again to install the device,” Ewhrudjakpor said.

“Currently, some vehicles coming into the country are already fitted with the device; all you need do is to calibrate it.

“But if motor owners insist on buying vehicle without speed limiter, then they will have to fix it or we will impound it,” he warned.

He also said that the FRSC will arrange a meeting with local vehicle assembly plants in order to see how they could install the device as part of vehicles fitted specifications.

The FRSC boss explained that the current enforcement of the speed limit device, which began on October 1, was a persuasive move to give motorist time to comply, adding that, “from January 1, 2017, it is an offence not to have it on commercial vehicles.

“Some of the vendors have agreed to allow vehicle owners pay for the device over time, but from January 1, it is going to be full enforcement, as we will impound your vehicle if you don’t have it.

“There is nowhere in the world where public transport is not regulated.

“If you go the United Kingdom, or the United States, public transports do not go beyond 90 kilometres per hour,” he said.

The Kaduna FRSC Sector Commander, Francis Udoma, reported that out of 3,033 vehicles inspected in the state from October 1 to date, only 51 were found to have installed the device.

He said the command would continue to advise and persuade commercial motorists during the ongoing ember month patrol, to comply and install the device, but as from January 1, there would be no mercy.

Udoma also said that the command would continue to work with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to restore sanity on the roads.