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18 States Yet To Establish Traffic Management Agencies — FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged state governments that have yet to establish their traffic management agencies to do so in line with the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS).
Its Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, made the call at a meeting with heads of some state traffic management agencies and zonal commanders of the FRSC in Abuja last Wednesday.
Addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the meeting, Oyeyemi said state traffic management agencies were critical to the attainment of the NRSS objectives.
Implementation of the NRSS, which targets a 35-per-cent reduction in road traffic accidents in the country by 2018, is hinged on synergy between the federal and state governments.
Besides, Oyeyemi said statistics had shown that states with traffic management agencies had better road safety records than those without.
“Currently, we have 18 state traffic management agencies, and from our data, we have seen that the rate of crashes is trending down in states that already have.
“This shows that traffic is being effectively managed in those states.
“But in states that have yet to establish their agencies, the rate is going up.
“This underscores the need for us to encourage state governments that have yet to respond to do so in line with our road safety strategy document,” he said.
He listed the compliant states as Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Kwara, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers and Niger.
Data released at the meeting showed that in 2014, a total of 6,102 road accidents were recorded in states without traffic agencies compared to 4,278 in states operating the system.
In the same year, 3,049 persons died in road accidents in the former set of states, while 2,947 died in the latter.
Oyeyemi added, “Once you have the state traffic management agencies, the FRSC will pull out from state roads and focus on federal roads, then regulate what the states are doing which is the ultimate.”
The meeting was a followup on a two-day capacity building workshop by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) for the traffic managers in Abuja between Tuesday and Wednesday.
It focused on the harmonisation of federal and state road safety operations in the areas of data collection and reporting, staff training, road signages, computerised vehicle testing, among others.
Some of the state representatives commended the FRSC for its relentless efforts in reducing road carnage in the country and promised to implement the resolutions of the meeting in their states.
The Director General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority, Mr Stephen Dieseruvwie, said the initiative would engender harmony in the policies and operations of FRSC and state traffic agencies.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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