Still on FRSC annual lecture series
Today, I hope to conclude on the lecture series which in 2009 was described by the boss of FRSC, Osita Chidoka as a landmark in the Corps’ efforts aimed at encouraging actions from Government, relevant stakeholders as well as to all categories of road users. He noted the need to put in place adequate measures […]
Today, I hope to conclude on the lecture series which in 2009 was described by the boss of FRSC, Osita Chidoka as a landmark in the Corps’ efforts aimed at encouraging actions from Government, relevant stakeholders as well as to all categories of road users. He noted the need to put in place adequate measures to reduce the severity of injuries to road traffic victims as evident in safety devices in vehicles and the road construction. It is more important to bring to the understanding of all, that road crashes are caused and therefore avoidable. The series he further noted, is a means of enlightening and educating all categories of road users to adopt the right attitude adding that ‘’the behaviour of road users viz-a-viz the safety devices negate the principles of safety thus predisposing other road users to dangers. This position was supported by Prince Michael of Kent who observed that most road users walk, drive and travel on the roads confused and frightened even though he acknowledged efforts of FRSC and the need for adequate funding.
The Senate President, David Mark who in 2009 delivered a keynote address, equally said that the traffic crash calls for adequate measures to checkmate this scourge. He called on all and sundry to support this worthy course, stressing that the task of keeping deaths off our roads is a collective one and as such we must all be ready to commit our time, energy and resources to compliment the efforts of Government in this quest. He however called for massive and sustained public enlightenment campaigns to get the message across to every individual to achieve the much needed attitudinal re-orientation on traffic safety management. This perhaps explains the level nationwide awareness campaign which the saw the suspension of enforcement for a week.
Shortly after the inaugural series in 2009, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed had this to say on the outcome of the series in 2010 during the second edition; “the dividend of the inaugural edition is being seen and felt by road users in the Federal Capital Territory especially with the introduction of Emergency Ambulance Service Scheme and Telecommunication facilities all geared towards improving pre-hospital care services to victims of road crash and location identification. Worthy of mention is the provision and installation of pre-crash facilities in the form of road signs, symbols and furniture strategically located in most parts of the Capital Territory”.
A second pointer was summed up by Vice President Arc Namadi Sambo who announced that as a demonstration of government support for the effort of the Corps towards a crash- free Nigeria, the Federal Executive Council in 2012, approved and adopted Nigeria becoming signatory to the Geneva and Vienna Convention on road traffic management signs and road markings. I am sure my colleagues at FERMA will be as excited as I am. FERMA had some years back, done a report published in their in-house journal where they observed that road signs and road markings in the country fell below international standard noting that except for some roads in Lagos State and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, a lot needed to be done. This according to K. Kapila who as guest speaker, recalled one of the pillars of the Decade which is on safe road design; which he said, involves using road infrastructure assessment rating and improved design to raise the inherent safety of road networks for the benefit of all road users especially the most vulnerable ones. This worry was equally expressed by former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyoku at the inaugural lecture in 2009.In a paper titled, “Capital Waste on Nigerian Roads” who decried the state of our roads, noting that there is an urgent need for more and clearer road signage on Nigerian roads and the need for massive public orientation campaign in order to make drivers and other road users realize as in the words of an Australian Traffic Rule that ”road sense is the offspring of courtesy and parent of safety.” He equally raised concern over our poor road network noting that the condition of roads is an undeniable indicator of the state of the nation. He therefore appealed for urgent actions to redress the conditions of the roads not only for the sake of saving our people from premature deaths and disabilities but also for the sake or removing a veritable obstacle to the socio- economic development of the country and also appealed for government to enunciate and implement a coordinated transport policy. In the words of Kapila, “developing countries such as Nigeria should act on the Decade of Action to improve the quality of life of citizens and to ensure a better road safety environment for our future generations”.
As we look forward to another rewarding session during this year’s edition of the lecture, it is instructive for all and sundry to stoop to ponder on the need for total alignment to the outcomes of the previous editions and to collectively chart the way forward for safer road use in Nigeria.