PRESS BRIEFING BY THE CORPS MARSHAL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OSITA CHIDOKA OFR ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2013 AFRICA ROAD SAFETY DAY/ WORLD DAY FOR REMEMBRANCE OF ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH VICTIMS ON THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER, 2013 AT THE FRSC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA. PROTOCOL The Africa Road Safety Day/ World Day for Remembrance of Road Traffic Crash Victims, is the consequence of the Africa Union Executive Council Decision EX. CL. /Dec. 682 (XX) of January 2012 and the United Nations Resolution A/60/5 of 26 Oct. 2005, both of which seek to identify with the victims of road traffic crash and their families to draw public attention through Road Safety Rallies and other events, on the dangers associated with road traffic and therefore the need to embrace best practices. The AU (African Union) and UN (United Nation) decision set aside and recognize the 3rd Sunday of November, annually as Road Safety Day. Annually over 1.3 million people die through Road Traffic Crashes with over 50 million others sustaining varying injuries. More disturbing is the fact that about 90% of Road Traffic Crashes occur in low and middle income countries that have less than half of the world’s registered fleet. Those that die fall mostly within the productive brackets of the population. It has been revealed that unless immediate and effective action is taken, road traffic injuries are to become the fifth leading cause of deaths in the world resulting in an estimated 2.4 million deaths each year. The economic consequences of RTC have been estimated between 1% and 3% of the respective Gross National Product (GNP) of the world condition, reaching a total according to the United Nations over $500 billion. The United Nations believes that reducing road casualties and fatalities will unlock growth and free resources for a more productive use. It is to reverse the ugly trends of Road traffic Crash that the United Nations in March, 2010 officially proclaimed the Decade of Action 2011 – 2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The 64th Session of the Assembly on the 10th May, 2010 approved the Resolution and the Decade of Action on Road Safety was launched globally on 11th May, 2011. As the nation keys into the efforts on the Decade of Action and in line with the Africa Union decision, this year 2013 Africa Road Safety Day/ World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims falls on Sunday 17th November, 2013. However, a five-day event will be held to commemorate the programme. The theme for this year’s Programme is “Let’s Have Roads that are Safe for All”. The Corps appreciates the concerted efforts of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR in road maintenance and related infrastructural developments nationwide. It is believed that the giant strides and support to the FRSC will culminate into further reduction in road traffic crashes. The programme will span 14th – 18th of November, 2013 and will be held simultaneously nationwide. The 2013 event is to be extended to Monday 18th November, 2013 in line with the 12th National Council of Transport Resolution that the event should be marked by State Governments and other Stakeholders in the Transport Sector in Nigeria, on the next working day after the third Sunday of November every year. The Council at its meetings of 19th to 23rd November, 2013 and 3rd December, 2012 had called on all stakeholders to participate in the activities. The 2013 activities will include the following; Day 1; 14th November, 2013 -COMACE Press Briefing at COMACE Conference Hall, FRSC Headquarter, Abuja. At 1000HRS. - Ceremonial Release of Balloons by the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, FRSC and solemn music by FRSC Band, at Basement, FRSC Wuse Zone 3 at 1200HRS. Day 2; 15th November, 2013 - Commemorative service at the National Mosque by FRSC Muslim faithful at 1200HRS. Day 3: 16th November, 2013 -Executive Walk (FRSC HQ Wuse Zone 3 to GSS Tudun-Wada, Wuse Zone 4) by FRSC Management Team, Staff and Stakeholders at 0630HRS. -Visit to Hospitals/ donation to road traffic crash victims at the National Hospital and Maitama General Hospital by Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) and other Stakeholders/ Special Marshals at 1300HRS (to assemble at FRSC, RSHQ Wuse Zone 3 Abuja). -Candle light procession from GSS Tudun-wada Wuse Zone 4 to Wuse General Hospital, Wuse Zone 3 by FRSC Management Team/Staff and Stakeholders at 1700HRS. Day 4: 17th November, 2013 -Commemorative Service at Methodist Cathedral Church of Unity, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja by all FRSC Christians at 0800HRS. Day 5 : 18th November, 2013 -Motorcade/Group Cycling from Wuse Zone 3 through Zone 2, Berger roundabout, Area 1, Zone 7 and back to Zone 3 approx. 15km by FRSC Staff and Stakeholders at 0900HRS (Take-off point – FRSC RSHQ, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja). The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) once again calls on all our motorists to reduce speed on our highways. Our researches have shown that nearly half of the crashes in Nigeria are attributable to excessive speed. Let me remind our drivers and other road users that the maximum speed limit on Nigerian roads in the best of conditions, including road, weather, lights and vehicular situations remain 100Kph. When the condition becomes unfavourable, speed MUST be reduced. We have also observed that, when the roads are good, there is always the temptation to speed. Drivers should always remember that the chances of surviving crashes reduce as we increase our vehicular speeds. We are also implementing the installation of speed limiters in all commercial vehicles nationwide. The standards are being developed as we intensify our public enlightenment and consultation activities to secure the buy-in of all relevant Stakeholders. As we remember our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, uncles, friends and relations that have gone through Road Traffic Crashes, we should also remember that crashes don’t just occur they are caused. It is not a matter of bad luck, bewitching, or destiny but, rather that of our negligence or imbibing of negative attitudes on the highways. Let us remember, as we prepare to witness the New Year, 2014 that road traffic crashes are preventable. All must join the crusade to ensure better and safer road culture in Nigeria. May the souls of the departed victims rest in Peace as we wish all other road users safe trips always. OSITA CHIDOKA OFR Corps Marshal And Chief Executive, FRSC 14th November, 2013
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:37:30 +0000
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