Vice President Kashim Shettima has initiated a significant reform of Nigeria’s road safety protocols, emphasizing the urgent need for action to combat the country’s road safety issues.
This directive was issued on Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), headed by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement from his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, this initiative aims to tackle the pressing road safety challenges and significantly decrease traffic-related accidents nationwide.
As part of this effort, the Vice President plans to launch the National Road Safety Advisory Council, tasked with the ambitious goal of halving traffic accidents by 2030.
During the meeting, Shettima highlighted the critical need to address the rising number of road accidents caused by failure to comply with traffic regulations. He stated, “We must find a holistic approach to our road safety issues. The entire system is not functioning optimally.”
Emphasizing the importance of aligning with international standards practiced in countries like Dubai and the UK, he remarked on the necessity of “intentional actions to resolve our road safety challenges.”
As the chair of the National Road Safety Advisory Council, Shettima underscored the potential of technology and stringent enforcement measures in enhancing road safety. He cited examples from Dubai and the UK, where traffic violators are identified through license plate recognition and fined directly from their bank accounts, fostering a culture of law adherence.
“The need for discipline in our nation cannot be overstated,” he asserted, linking road safety to broader security issues. “The responsibilities of the FRSC are closely tied to those of the Nigerian Police, forming an integral part of our national security framework.”
Reflecting on successful security measures he observed in Enugu State, he noted, “Just yesterday, I was in Enugu, where the state government has established a robust security system that ensures comprehensive surveillance across the town and its surrounding areas, including forests.”
Earlier in the meeting, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed pointed out that the National Road Safety Advisory Council is vital to the updated Nigeria Road Safety Strategy for 2021-2030, with the goal of achieving a 50% reduction in traffic accidents by 2030.
He elaborated on the council’s key roles, which include setting national road safety objectives, coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local governments, and overseeing the execution of strategic initiatives.
