The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory Administration, has called for public partnership in transportation and road safety management to reduce the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads.
Dr Yusuf Suberu, Squadron Leader, DRTS, stated this in Abuja on Saturday, during the 2023 Special Marshals Sectoral Workshop, organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCT Sector Command Special Marshal.
Suberu, who is also the National Coordinator, Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Mayors, said that the public partnership would significantly reduce the spate of avoidable accidents on highways.
He noted that several activities aimed at preventing the causes of accidents and reducing its severity have been implemented by government agencies such as the DRTS and the FRSC.
He added that public support was required in the formulation and implementation of life-saving policies to reduce the rate of accidents to the barest minimum.
According to him, the growth and development of every city is largely determined by the positive attitude of its residents.
He stressed the need for collective efforts and stakeholders’ support for effective traffic management through collaboration with relevant government agencies.
“This will promote safety standards by educating road users on protecting traffic environments and advocating for proper vehicle maintenance amongst others.
“There is also the need to encourage esteemed and distinguished individuals in the society and the public to volunteer as Road Safety Ambassadors.
“The ambassadors will help to decongest and control traffic, as well as maintaining traffic law and order within and around their environment, “he said.
Suberu said that workshop was timely, adding that the discussions and stakeholders’ commitment would attract more volunteers into the road safety management for safer roads.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Nathan Egereonu, said that collective effort was needed to achieve a crash-free society.
Egereonu, who is the Head, Contract Administration, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, called on individuals to support ongoing efforts towards reducing the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads to the barest minimum.
On his part, Mr Shehu Mohammed, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of FCT and Niger, commended the efforts and contributions of the special marshals in improving road traffic management across the country.
Describing their contributions as “unquantifiable”, Mohammed assured the volunteers that their efforts in ensuring sanity on the roads would be rewarded.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is “Volunteerism in Road Safety Management: Limits and Possibilities”.
Highlights of the event were the cutting of cake, decoration of honorary special marshals, presentation of certificates of recognition and awards to outstanding marshals among others.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria