The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Road Safety

  • Abuja Airport closure and road safety

    Abuja Airport closure and road safety

    There are some lessons from the six weeks closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the diversion of traffic to the Kaduna Airport which are very vital for the promotion of safety on Nigerian roads.

    Prior to the decision of the Federal Government to divert traffic to Kaduna Airport, the Abuja-Kaduna road was dotted with different degrees of potholes which have claimed many lives. Many concerned citizens called on the immediate past and the current government to intervene and repair the roads. Despite the death of a serving federal minister and seven medical doctors on the road, no commendable repair was done.

    However, immediately the Federal Government decided to divert traffic to Kaduna Airport, several things happened on the Abuja-Kaduna road which I want to quickly mention in this article for posterity sake.

    • In less than 1 month, all the pot-holes on the stretch of the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriage road were properly filled to the admiration of the road users.
    • The dangerous clustering of articulated vehicles on the Abuja-Kaduna road drastically reduced.
    • The unsafe parking, loading and off-loading on the roadsides faded away.
    • There was a massive presence of Officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and Joint Patrol Teams of strategic points on the road.
    • The rate of reckless driving and over speeding on the road drastically reduced because of the consciousness of the presence of Traffic and Security Agencies on the road.
    • There was a near zero rate of accident on the Abuja-Kaduna road throughout the period of the diversion.
    • The rate of crime on the road faded to near zero.

    If it is possible for the government to accomplish these fetes on Abuja-Kaduna road, it is also possible to accomplish same on all the roads in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    It is, however, disheartening that immediately the Abuja Airport was re-opened with traffic moved back to Abuja, most of the security agencies disappeared from the Abuja-Kaduna road and the camps constructed for their operations were deserted. I however, use this forum to praise the visionary Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who in his wisdom and passion for the safety of lives and valuable properties, decided to retain all the newly constructed operation posts with the vehicles and officers intact.

    Other agencies that have deserted the road must be told that the lives of the people still plying the Abuja-Kaduna road is still as precious as the lives of the people that plied the road during the six weeks diversion of traffic to Kaduna Airport.

    The Federal Government should also replicate the Abuja-Kaduna road magic in other black spots that are prone to road traffic crashes and criminal activities in all the states in Nigeria. I hereby say a big kudos to the Federal Government and call for more proactive actions to ensure the safety of the irreparable lives and valuable properties of Nigerians and other residents.

  • Govt urged to include road safety into school syllabus

    A member of governing council, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Mr Erogbogbo Lukman, has called on Federal Government to include road safety education into its syllabus.

    He said is the high time for the government to add road safety education into school curriculum, saying if children are taught from a young age about road traffic rules it will further minimise the number of fatalities on the road on daily basis.

    Mr Erogbogbo, an engineer, spoke at Children’s Day celebration held at Ikorodu and Ikeja Unit Commands of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lagos State.

    He said the country’s roads would be safer if pupils were taught and allowed to have adequate knowledge of using roads from the elementary schools, adding that it would enable them correct their parents whenever they are going contrary to safety rules of using road.

    He said road safety has its own principles and values and we have to know how to impart the rules to our children and inculcate good habits at a very young age.

    He urged the children to imbibe good culture that would make their destiny fulfilled.

    Ikorodu Unit Commander Babatope Agbaje and Emma E. Fekoya of Ikeja Unit Command said the event, themed: ‘Improving safety of the Nigerian child through FRSC Youth Safety Education”, was to commemorate children’s Day and to educate children on the vital roles they can play in road safety from them homes.

    He noted that FRSC had introduced youth safety education when it identified that children are important in the campaign for safer roads, saying young people would find it easier to obey road rules and regulation.

  • Street palm trees and road safety

    Street palm trees and road safety

    Hazard perception is a very vital skill in driving and road safety administration just as environmental analysis and diagnosis is a very vital tool in governance.
    Without any iota of doubt, tree planting in Abuja, Lagos and a few other state capitals is commendable and should continue.
    There is, however, a need to avoid creating avoidable problems while trying to solve a problem.
    My advice to the state governments and the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory is that they should avoid creating road traffic problems in the process of beautifying the environment.
    I have seen several palm trees planted by the road medians in Abuja and Lagos. They look very beautiful now but they will, without doubt, create serious traffic crisis later in the future.
    The taller they grow, the longer the palms become and the more difficult the trimming becomes. The palms and the fruit bunches do fall off on their own when dry. How many times and how long will traffic be stopped for the trimming of palm trees when they grow taller and bigger? What of the dangers of the branches or bunches falling on moving vehicles and Pedestrians.
    I have seen many trees planted by governments being cut down or badly trimmed when they are already touching the electric wires which were already there before the trees were planted. There are trees and flowers that can beautify the streets without growing very tall up to the level of touching the electric cables or disturbing traffic flow.
    Some of the trees are planted on underground electric cables and or too close to the drainage and road kerbs. As the trees take roots and grow bigger, they reduce access to the underground cables, destroy the drainage (gutters), pull down road kerbs and destroy the tarred roads through their strong roots.
    It is, therefore, expedient for government authorities to study the environment and know the right type of trees or flowers to plant in each location to avoid wasteful spending of the n-ation’s hard earned resources.

  • Diageo, UN agency harp on road safety

    Diageo, a global leader in the beverage alcohol industry and parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc, have partnered the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to promote road safety and sustainable transport systems in the country.
    At a two-day workshop at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Guinness Nigeria PLC Corporate Relations Director Mr Sesan Sobowale, noted that by partnering UNITAR, Guinness Nigeria/Diageo shows its continued commitment to the responsible use of alcohol and the prevention of alcohol-related road traffic accidents.
    He said: “We believe that a single death caused by drinking and driving is one too many and can and must be prevented. We are encouraged that over the last few years, the number of alcohol related fatalities has fallen significantly in many countries. However, there is more to do and we are committed to playing our role in eradicating harm caused by drink driving in Nigeria. This new partnership with UNITAR is important as it will allow us to work together to deliver the global goal of halving drink driving road traffic deaths”.
    The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mallam Sabiu Zakari who represented the Minister for Transportation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State command, Commander Clement Oladele, his Lagos counterpart, Mr. Hyginus Omeje and Sustainable transport experts from Kennesaw State University, Georgia in United States. The conference was also attended by transportation and road safety resource persons from Benin Republic, Ghana, Cote d’Ivore and Togo.
    In their submissions, speakers outlined strategies that will help Nigeria create a sustainable transportation system while ensuring the safety of road users.
    Country Head and Resident Representative of UNITAR in Nigeria, Dr Larry Boms, said road safety is a top priority in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2020.
    “I am looking forward to bringing to fruition this new initiative between the United Nations and Guinness Nigeria/Diageo. Achieving the 2030 Development Agenda and its different goals will only be possible through innovative partnerships with the private sector such as this one, where different stakeholders join forces to reach specific beneficiaries and targets by sharing their respective expertise and resources,” he said.
    Oladele, who represented FRSC Corp Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, observed that about three percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lost to road crashes every year and stressed the need to address the human factor element in road safety interventions.

  • Vital issues for road safety

    Vital issues for road safety

    THE low attention of the federal, state and local governments to road safety management in Nigeria has sadly positioned the country as the third nation with the worst cases of road crashes and fatalities among 193 countries sampled globally. This has made our beloved Giant of Africa one of the most dangerous countries to drive in.
    To reposition Nigeria as one of the countries with the best road safety management, safer road, safer vehicles, safer road users and post-crash care in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, there is an urgent need for governments, agencies, private sector organisations, donor agencies and other stakeholders to look into the issues analysed below and take appropriate proactive steps to effectively address them to ensure the accomplishment of the 5 (five) Pillars of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as it affects Road Safety.
    U.N. Decade of action and Nigeria road safety problem analysis
    Pillar 1– Road safety management: As at today in Nigeria, there are crisis in road safety management, yet there has been no executive pronouncement from the office of past and present oresidents towards the resolution of the imbroglio.
    For example, there has been overlapping of functions and clashes among the key Government Agencies responsible for Road Safety Management in Nigeria.
    Up to this very movement the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIOs) and the Nigeria Police are still at loggerheads over:
    • Who is responsible for the inspection of Vehicles for Standards compliance and road worthiness.
    • Who is responsible for the Accreditation and Regulation of Driving Schools in Nigeria.
    • Who is responsible for the production of Driver’s Licence and Vehicle Licence
    • The Nigeria Police is at loggerheads with the FRSC and VIOs over Vehicle documentation and inspection.
    • State traffic management agencies are at loggerheads with the FRSC over who manages the traffic and operates on federal and state roads, especially in Lagos and Ogun states.
    • There is no structured theory and practical tests for candidates processing Driver’s Licence. A person who does not know how to drive can easily obtain the genuine Driver’s Licence after paying an extra amount of money to the FRSC, VIOs and the Board of Internal Revenue (Motor Vehicle Administration Agency). This is greatly fuelling Driver’s Licence racketeering in Nigeria today.
    • The road safety management agencies have virtually neglected their statutory functions for the pursuit of revenue generation.
    • There are contradictions between the constitutional provision on the role of state government road safety management agencies and the enabling Act of the Federal Road Safety Commission. This has not been resolved because of the absence of presidential pronouncement.

  • ‘Road safety is collective responsibility’

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has admonished stakeholders to make roads safe, as “ember” months approach.

    Its Ijebu-Ode Unit Commander, Mr Austin Ekele, an assistant commander, spoke at the inauguration of the Local Action Committee on Road Safety (LACORS) at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

    Ekele said FRSC’s effort to ensure safer roads would only yield result, if other sister agencies, the military, paramilitary, police, vehicle inspection officers, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and road transport unions ensure sanity on the road.

    The unit commander said road safety was a shared responsibility.

    He noted that if the sister agencies and other stakeholders were involved in safety campaigns and enforcement, the country would be able to actualise the United Nations (UN) decade of action on reduction of road traffic crashes.

    Ekele urged vehicle owners to install speed limiters before October 1, the proposed enforcement deadline.

    Defaulters, the unit commander said, would be punished.

    He appealed to drivers to obey the speed limit.

    Ekele condemned motorcyclists for their nonchalance on the use of helmets.

    The FRSC commander noted that most of them were adamant about crash helmets and plied highways without them.

    He said motorcycles or tricycles should not compete with articulated vehicles for right of way.

    “They should restrict their services to the towns,” Ekele added.

  • Road safety is duty of all, says Buhari

    Road safety is duty of all, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that road safety is not the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government, saying that every Nigerian should see himself or herself as active participant in the collective campaigns.

    The campaign, he said, would ensure safe motoring environment as evidenced by the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Document (NRSS).

    The NRSS document spelt out the role that all tiers of government, including the private and public sectors as well as stakeholders could play in funding road safety activities in the country.

    “That is why this administration expediently approved the NRSS as recently endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its last sitting.

    “Let me therefore, commend the leadership of the FRSC and the entire staff for the initiatives and commitment to vigorously pursue road safety programmes for safety and security of lives and property on the road,” he said.

    President Buhari stated that the award of the Quality Management System Certification (QMS) (ISO 9001:2008) to the FRSC by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is a further testimony to the success of the reforms which the FRSC has undertaken over the years, saying it must be sustained to further guarantee safety of all road users.

    According to the President, it was to further boost the operational success of the Corps and in line with the administration’s desire to ensure safety and security of lives and property of the citizens that the procurement of two hundred and eighty three (283) operational vehicles was commissioned.

     

    He said: “These vehicles will no doubt boost the operational capability of the FRSC and enhance the capacity of the personnel to face the challenges of enforcing traffic rules and regulations on the nation’s highways.

    “It is our hope that the fleet of vehicles would give impetus to the ongoing global campaign for road safety under the auspices of the United Nations Decade of Action For Road Safety: 2011-2020.

    “I assure the Management of the FRSC that this administration will continue to render necessary support for the success of its campaigns for safety on the nation’s roads for the enhancement of the economic activities and tourist potentials of the people.”

    President Buhari urged Nigerians to support FRSC and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security of the people.

    He however gave directive to the FRSC to initiate process that could lead to effective control of offences of driving against traffic and overloading which are rampart among drivers, thus constituting hazards to road users.

  • FRSC cautions youths on road safety

    FRSC cautions youths on road safety

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has urged youths to be conscious when using the roads either as motorists or commuters. The commission said this during the launch of the Road Safety Club and commemoration of the 2016 Children’s day.

    The program which was held at the Ebenezer Comprehensive  High School, according to  Doctor Tunde Agbaje, a Special Marshall, is aimed at re-inculcating road safety consciousness among youths and children. The theme of the event was ‘Children, say no to  road road crashes.’

    Assistant Corps Commander, Lanrewaju Ogundele, during his welcome address, said that the FRSC wants to eradicate all forms of road crashes by first arming young people with useful safety rules. He said, “it is the aim of the FRSC to inform the children by inculcate road safety precautions into the young ones early in life.”

    Also speaking at the event was Mrs. Kemi Oyebade, proprietress of Great Royalvile School, explained the importance of being alert while on the road. She urged Nigerians to  to stop making phone calls and avoid drunkenness while on the road in the interest of all road users.

     

    Present at the event also was Olori Adedayo Shyllon, Pastor Kolawole Ojo, DRC Francis Oladele, CRS Bridget Njoku, Barrister Akamo Michael and other dignitaries.

     

     

  • IEI partners FRSC to promote road safety

    International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc is  partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps, in driving home the message of road safety during these ember months.

    This was made known in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Tamuno Kiri.

    According to him, the IEI and FRSC partnership is to appeal to motorists to obey traffic rules and reduce overspreading that could lead  lead to road accidents which are avoidable.

    He said: “IEI in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has begun the 2015 ember months special patrol with the theme: “driving safely into 2016’. The programe was designed to consolidate   the successes recorded in 2014. With the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps and other Government Agencies, there has been a drastic reduction in road crashes nationwide.

    “Reports state  that Nigeria loses three per cent of its annual GDP to road accidents. In 2014 alone, the country lost an equivalent of $10 billion to road traffic crashes, hence the need to champion the cause of road safety especially during these ember months.

    “Nigeria has the largest road network in West Africa and second largest in sub-Saharan Africa. It is reported that from 1960, to the third quarter of 2015, Nigeria has recorded 344, 367 road accident-related deaths with those of the deaths within productive age.”

  • Road safety specialist launches books

    As part of his contribution to the prevention of road accidents in Nigeria, the Head of the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), Ikeja Centre, Mr. Dennis Ade Oloriegbe, has added three books and an audio/visual documentary titled ‘Safe Roads: How to Stay Alive’ to the existing books on road safety and traffic management in Nigeria. The books are titled: ‘Safe Driving: Safety Standards for Drivers’; ‘Motorcycle Safety: Riders’ Handbook’; and ‘Pedestrian Safety: Road Safety Education Programmes’.

    Oloriegbe said he was motivated to write the books because of the increasing number of lives lost daily to road accidents. “Most of these accidents are preventable, but they occur due to ignorance and sheer negligence. An average of 150 persons dies on the road daily in Nigeria, while in developed countries, attempts are being made to reduce the figure to zero,” he said.

    Head of Planning and Research of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Mr. Isaac Adetimiro who reviewed one of the books, praised Oloriegbe’s efforts and commitment to road safety.

    He maintained that motorists would benefit from the education and re-orientation provided by Oloriegbe in his books and documentary, saying: “If motorists and road users avail themselves of these books, and follow the directives contained therein, the number of accidents would reduce drastically.”