Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called for a multidisciplinary effort to solve the growing road crashes in the Federal Capital Territory.
Aliyu, who made the call at the flag-off ceremony of the strategic collaborative campaign against reckless driving tagged, “Away With One Way Violation of Traffic: The Evils of Reckless Driving” decried a situation where the nation’s capital is ranked 2nd position on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Statistical Digest for the 1st quarter of 2021 Road Traffic Accidents.
The Minister who was represented by the Acting Secretary of FCT PHC Board, Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo made reference to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that there are many facets that cause causes for road crashes in the FCT (2nd quarter 2020) as she regretted the loss of many lives with many more lives reduced by disability as a result of road haulage crashes.
She stressed the requirement to work together on multiple elements to address the problems of road crashes.
Her words, “As with other human challenges with multifactorial causation, multi-disciplinary efforts would be needed to address it. This will include multi stakeholder collaboration in public enlightenment, mass mobilisation and awareness creation, redoubling of the efforts of the relevant government agencies and parastatals, and renewed commitment of the relevant officers in their assigned responsibilities.”
She commended the chief convener of the coalition of partners, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) for strategically converting what would have just ended a one day mourning for their deceased member, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Ibrahim, to a project that would deliver public good and safety, she however said the Administration was not only concerned, but committed in ridding the FCT of drug abuse which fuels road crashes.
She added; “In the next few days, I will be convening a roundtable on the modalities for sustaining this project especially as the end of year festivities unfold. Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to all the residents of the FCT to be their brother’s and sister’s keepers; a good Samaritan that will assist in rescuing and evacuating the distressed and dying victims of road crashes before they bleed to death.
“I most heartily appeal to all those who have the ungodly hobby of video-recording fellow citizens in pains and pangs from the injuries sustained during crashes and upload such horrible sights unto social media platforms instead of assisting them to desist from this act. Please treat others exactly how you’ll love to be treated.
“We are counting on the NURTW to imbibe behavioral change while the relevant road traffic management agencies continue to give their all for better results.
Similarly, the Chairman FCT Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) , Dr. Job Amodu, decried the wave of one way violation of traffic and evil of reckless driving in the nation’s capital, even as he pledged to sustain the campaign.
He hinted that :”Earlier this year, we heard the rude shock of our senior colleague of the class of 89 of the Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Ibrahim, who was driving on a Sunday afternoon, unfortunately for him, a careless driver who thought the road was free and decided to engage in driving against traffic caused the unfortunate loss of the deceased.
“We decided to take this campaign to another level by gathering ourselves and remind ourselves of the dangers associated with reckless driving because a lot of people said FCT roads are very good, and as a result a lot of drivers have mismanaged the roads. So we are here today to call ourselves to order and put measures in place to sustain this campaign”.
He, however, warned that until all stakeholders start working the talk, making so many arrest and making people to pay for traffic offences, Nigerians will not stop violating traffic rules.
Meanwhile, the SSA to NURTW President on Inter Government and International Affairs, Suleiman Danzaki said 95 per cent of drivers are not licensed.
While adding that, if I should examined people present here today, 80 per cent will fail.
He, however, advocated that government revert back to 1979 system of issuing licences where drivers go through nine months of learning process before before going to VIO.
