The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Malam Shehu Mohammed has expressed optimism that Nigeria can achieve a 50 per cent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2030, in line with the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Mohammed made this known at a two- day Africa Road Safety Seminar in Nairobi, Kenya organised by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was in collaboration with the International Federation of Red cross and Crescent (IFRC) and the International road assessment programme (iRAP).
The seminar targets assessing the impact of road safety in the region towards reducing road traffic deaths by 50% by 2030.
This is contained in a statement issued by the corps marshal on Wednesday in Abuja.
The theme of the seminar is:” Implementing the Road Safety Action Plan for the Decade”.
It focuses on strategies to combat road crashes and deaths to the barest minimum in Africa.
Mohammed said that strategies had been mapped out to combat the challenges associated with motorcycle operations which he said had become a prominent feature in public transportation in Africa.
He also said that the challenge of speed management in Africa , which accounted for about half of the road fatalities in the region had been addressed whereby by recommendations were given.
He reiterated the need for mutual understanding of the roles the various emergency agencies in emergency management played.
“In the FRSC, we 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.
“This is in line with the United Nations’ 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 parts. 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.
He noted that the FRSC had recorded significant progress in reducing road crashes in Nigeria.
Mohammed said that 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.
The FRSC boss said the corps took full advantage of the opportunity to reduce fatalities by enforcing laws and educating commuters on safety consciousness.
Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to support the FRSC’s efforts by adhering to traffic rules and regulations.
“We will not relent until we achieve this target and ensure sanity is restored on the Nigeria roads, “he said.
Good will messages received during the opening ceremony were by Mr Jean Todt, the UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr Robert Lisinge of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) among others.
The event was attended by Mr Mohammed Omer Mukhier -Abuzein of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies , Dr Ahned Idris , Secretary General , Kenya Red Cross Society , Mr Dave Cliff , CEO , Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP)
Others are Ms Rachael Nganwa of iRAP, Ms Agnieszka Krasnolucka of the FIA Foundation, Ms Binta Sako of World Health Organisation and Mr.Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary, Kenya Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Countries and Organisations present at the seminar are Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Mali, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Un Envoy On Road Safety, Road Safety Partnership, Irap, Vision Spring, Fia Foundation, Gambia, Who Regional Office for Africa, Rwanda, World Bank
Participants watched a practical demonstration of using iRAP tools for roads assessment on African roads, discussions on curbing road crashes, group photographs among others.
NAN reports that in September 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/74/299 on “Improving global road safety”, proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.
The UN set an ambitious target of preventing at least 50 per cent of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
The WHO and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action, which was released in October 2021.
The Global Plan aligns with the Stockholm Declaration, by emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to road safety.
It called for continued improvements in the design of roads and vehicles; enhancement of laws and law enforcement; and provision of timely, life-saving emergency care for the injured.
The Global Plan also reflects the Stockholm Declaration’s promotion of policies to promote walking, cycling and using public transport as inherently healthy and environmentally sound modes.
