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- Urge other states to emulate Lagos, Cross River, Anambra, FCT
The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), a road traffic and safety advocacy group, has urged state governors to emulate Lagos, Cross River, Anambra and the Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Musa Bello and establish Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection agencies in their various states.
In a statement in Abuja, the Executive Director of APRI, Prince Fidelis Nnadi cited a recent road crash index disclosed that Nigerians are highly exposed to the risk of road crashes due to the neglect of some governors to create, establish and fund effective road traffic and Vehicle Inspection agencies with adequate empowered officers that will enforce safety for road users.
He however applauded Lagos, Cross River, Anambra governors as well as FCT minster that have made good progress in this direction but believes much is yet to be done.
“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides and prescribes that the primary responsibility of government is the safety of lives and property of citizens. This responsibility is enforced by the President and Commander -In -Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria including Governors of States and Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Accordingly the Federal and State Government are responsible for safety of road users in their respective roads as prescribed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Nigeria road crash index disclose that many Nigerians that travel by road are highly exposed to risk of road crashes due to the neglect of some governors to create, establish and fund effective road traffic and Vehicle Inspection agencies with adequate empowered officers that will enforce safety for road users.
Stressing further, Nnadi disclosed that some progress has been made by some governors in some States such as Lagos, Cross River, Anambra and FCT.
Nnadi appealed to state Governors to take a cue from those States that are making impact in the safety of Road users.
“How can we have 2,598 Nigerians killed in road crashes in six months without our governors and the President not acknowledging such to wake up in the efforts to mitigate the carnage?
“It is the prayer of Nigeria road users that government should be proactive by equipping their road traffic and Vehicle Inspection Officers being the appropriate body established to carry out the functions of safety on State roads, Nnadi said.
