Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) with a mandate for members to align with global best practices in reducing traffic crashes across Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima emphasized the critical importance of road safety, stating, “Road safety is not merely a matter of policy but a critical part of the lifeline that connects the people of this nation.”
He urged the council to set National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) targets and ensure effective coordination among federal, state, and local governments to achieve shared road safety objectives.
Shettima commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its efforts in addressing road traffic challenges, noting that the Corps has “consolidated a robust strategy” in its relatively short existence.
The Vice President also pointed to the World Bank Country Capacity Review, which highlighted areas for improvement in Nigeria’s road traffic administration, calling on the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, to embrace the review’s recommendations for reform.
The establishment of NaRSAC, he noted, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of strengthening administrative capacities across government bodies, adding, “This intervention will enhance our transportation system and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.”
FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, who serves as the advisory council’s secretary, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s road safety management.
He highlighted the importance of implementing the NRSS, which uses the globally accepted “safe system approach” to reduce road traffic casualties.
The NaRSAC, chaired by Vice President Shettima, includes members from six governors representing each geo-political zone, along with key ministers and representatives from various government and industry bodies.
The council aims to fast-track the implementation of the NRSS and reduce road traffic deaths to zero.
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