Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged stakeholders, especially the Federal Roads Safety Commission FRSC and the private sector operatives, to pursue indigenous solutions while collaborating with global partners to ensure safer roads across the country.
He stated that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant stakeholders must recommit themselves to the implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy.
Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, office of the Vice President, said Shettima made the calls on Wednesday, during the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) 8th Annual Lecture Series
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Shettima described the latest statistics, indicating a startling record of deaths on the road, which are quite disturbing, as they suggest that the nation still faces considerable road safety challenges.
Shehu Mohammed, Road Safety Corps Marshall, had, while speaking earlier, reported that Nigeria has an average of 5000 deaths and 31,000 injuries annually despite efforts to curtail the menace.
“I commend the leadership of the FRSC for the vigour and innovation with which you have pursued this cause. But let me add a note of caution: we do not yet have the luxury to celebrate. The road ahead remains long and demanding.
“Much work still lies before us, and we must draw from both our indigenous solutions and effective collaborations with global partners to achieve our objectives,” the Vice President said.
He lamented that Nigeria still faces significant road safety challenges, with recent statistics revealing a troubling record of deaths on our roads.
Shettima pointed out that the duty of keeping the roads safe is a collective task that cannot be done in isolation, even as he called for a recommitment to implementing the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy.
“We must recommit ourselves to implementing the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy. We must ensure that all tiers of government, the private sector, and other stakeholders, including Non-Governmental Organisations, are fully engaged in road safety activities. Only through such shared responsibility can we guarantee sustainable outcomes,” he maintained.
In his capacity as Chairman of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), he reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge “to make the vision of the National Road Safety Strategy a reality is never relegated.”
“In its thirty-seven years of existence, the FRSC has demonstrated the promise, the potential, and the practice of prioritising safety and securing the lives and property of road users.
“The Federal Government has also shown its commitment to this mission through massive infrastructure development, consistent road maintenance, and the expansion of our highway networks.”
Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated that the FRSC annual lecture series tradition has metamorphosed into a platform for dialogue on effective road safety and transportation management.
He said while Nigeria faces urbanisation, there is a need to embrace new partnerships while strengthening local systems “to protect the lives of our people.”
The SGF pointed out that “Road Safety is not merely a transport issue but a national development priority,” adding that it promotes social well-being.
He said even though the FRSC is appreciated and recognised for its tireless work, “much remains to be done,” even as he assured that the “Federal Government is committed to doing more” for the institution’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Among other government interventions, he said the Tinubu administration will support the FRSC with capacity building and interagency coordination, adding, however, that the responsibility for safer roads in Nigeria rests on all Nigerians and residents.
Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marhall, said the purpose of the lecture series was to share perspectives on road safety management in Nigeria in view of emerging global challenges.
Mohammed expressed optimism that the event would provide critical insight towards achieving road safety management objectives across Nigeria.
He appreciated the physical presence of Vice President Shettima at the event, noting that it further affirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to road safety management as an imperative for national development and a critical component of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the London-based Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Foundation, while speaking on the topic, ‘Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership for Optimal Performance’, acknowledged the influence of the FRSC’s leadership, noting that “it is very well appreciated and recognised across the world.”
He emphasised that the FRSC now serves as a key player in the global road safety community.
Osita Chidoka, former FRSC Corps Marshall, said the current challenge of road safety is channelling the global framework into Nigerian reality, especially in a country where motorcycles account for almost half of all road fatalities and well, rapid organisations are shaping travel patterns.
According to him, the discussants brought voices from security, justice, technology, law and academia, and each has a critical role to play in the system to make the Nigerian roads safer, smarter and secured.
