The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to suspend the implementation of the proposed speed limit policy until it appears before the House Committee on FRSC to explain why the process should not be discontinued. The resolution calling for a halt in the proposed installation of speed limiting device process was passed during plenary on Thursday, February 25, 2016, when a member from Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu moved a motion of ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ soliciting the intervention of the parliament in accessing the viability and desirability of the policy by Nigerians.

He warned that it would be callous if the House did nothing to stop this wanton extortion of money from Nigerians especially in the face of economic hardship and challenges confronting the nation. The Federal Lawmaker stated that the proposed speed limiting device has been arranged to be installed in every car plying the Nigerian roads at the cost of N36, 000 per car; adding that the FRSC has contracted this to some vendors thereby allowing the money to be generated to be in some foreign coffers and not in the Federations account. He further informed that the device in question lacks credibility, having been tested and dumped in Kenya.

Hon. Shaibu prayed the House to mandate its Committee on FRSC to investigate his claims and report back to the chamber for an informed decision to be taken. He suggested that the Spider Technology which is popularly used in other climes be used instead, noting that the device is more effective and affordable.

The Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who was one of the contributors during the debate described the policy as “immoral, illegal and unconstitutional”. He questioned the jurisdiction over roads that do not fall under federal roads. He adopted the submissions of other members who spoke against the policy and urged the House to discourage any effort by institutions of government to float obnoxious ideas and policies and succeed in imposing further hardship on Nigerians.

It will be recalled that the FRSC came up with the policy as a measure to control excess speed on the highway as well as reduce the rate of road accident in the country. Consequently, the Commission announced that April 1, 2016 would be the deadline for commercial vehicle owners to install the device. The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi was reported to have threatened that defaulters would have their cars impounded and then charged to court. 

Before putting the question on the motion, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara said it is apparent that the policy is coming at the wrong time when greater percent of the citizenry are struggling to secure three square meal in a day, he cautioned that it would be unwise to impose more burden on the citizens.