By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed optimism that in line with the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety, 50 per cent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2030 will be achieved.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mohammed during a two- day Africa Road Safety Seminar organised by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in Nairobi, Kenya, said that the challenge of speed management in Africa which accounted for half of road fatalities had been addressed.
He said that strategies had been mapped out to combat challenges associated with motorcycle operations which is a prominent feature in public transportation in Africa.
“The FRSC are working tirelessly to reduce road crashes and fatalities on our roads. Our goal is to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2030 in line with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
“To achieve this, we are intensifying our public enlightenment campaigns, enhancing enforcement, and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders at all levels.
“Road safety remains a shared responsibility, which everyone is expected to play their part. We must all work together to make our roads safer.
“We urge motorists to avoid reckless driving, overloading, speeding and every other issue that can lead to untimely deaths or avoidable crashes,” he said.
Mohammed noted that the FRSC had recorded significant progress in reducing road crashes in Nigeria.
Accroding to him, there was a 51 per cent reduction in Road Traffic Crashes ( RTCs) during the 2024 Eid-el Kabir special patrol operations compared to the same period in 2023 nationwide.
He attributed the success to the corps’ strategic approach, including improved patrol operations, enhanced vehicle inspection, and collaboration with state governments.
Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to support the FRSC’s efforts by adhering to traffic rules and regulations.
He also reiterated the need for mutual understanding of the roles of emergency agencies in emergency management relating to road and its users.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar in Nairobi was in collaboration with the International Federation of Red cross and Crescent (IFRC) and the International road assessment programme (iRAP).
The seminar themed ”Implementing the Road Safety Action Plan for the Decade” focused on strategies to combat road crashes and deaths to the barest minimum in Africa.
This is following the Sept. 2020 UN General Assembly adoption of the resolution of “Improving global road safety”, proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 targeted at 50 per cent reduction of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
Stakeholders and participants at the seminar were drawn from over five African countries, including Mr Jean Todt, the UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr Robert Lisinge of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) among others.
