Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said road traffic crashes in Nigeria killed more people than the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and other known causes of death.
The governor stated this at Gombe Park, Bauchi, on Tuesday during the 2023 Ember Months Sensitization organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bauchi State Sector Command.
Represented by Mr. Abdulhamid Bununu, the Commissioner, Security and Internal Affairs, the governor said that for this reason, the general public should realize that road traffic crashes do not respect anyone, irrespective of status, age, or race.
“If you want to stay alive, be road safety-friendly by observing road traffic regulations and keeping your vehicles road-worthy.
“All hands must be on the deck to make our dream of safer roads a reality,” he said.
Mohammed further appealed to the motoring public that their maximum cooperation would not only be enough to achieve a good road culture but would equally put the nation on the world map of road traffic crash-free countries and promote investment for economic prosperity.
Earlier, Mr. Patrick Ikaba, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, reminded all road users that road safety was everybody’s business and shared responsibility.
According to him, the winter months come with unique challenges and opportunities.
“As the year approaches its final quarter, we must remain vigilant, conscious, and proactive to ensure the safety and well-being of our roads.
“The campaign aims not only to raise awareness but also to foster a spirit of unity and preparedness among us.
“Our goal is to reduce road traffic crashes by at least 15 percent through enhanced road safety partnerships for intervention, and that is the essence of our gathering today,” he said.
He appreciated the state governor for his support and cooperation with the FRSC and called on stakeholders not to relent in partnering with the corps.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2023 ember month sensitization is “Excessive speed thrills but kills; drive responsibly; and avoid overloading.”
NAN
