News
Road Traffic Accidents Claim 1.2m Nigerians Annually -FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has disclosed that over 1.2million Nigerians die from road accidents annually, overtaking HIV/AIDS, Malaria, among other, as major harbingers of death in Africa’s most populous nation.
Speaking during the 2018 stakeholders’ roundtable with the theme: ‘Drivers’ Health and Road Safety: Taking Goal Zero Outside The Fence,’ organized by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, the Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC Zone 6, South-South, Assistant Corps Marshal Kingsley Agomoh also explained that road traffic injuries were among the leading 10 causes of deaths in both ‘lower-middle’ and ‘upper-middle’ income countries.
Agomoh stated that driving a vehicle on the road was an interesting, but complex task with severe safety consequences, particularly because of the huge number of death traps or bad spots on Nigerian roads.
He noted that “Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) have risen to become a global health problem due to inadequacies in policies and administrations in drivers’ engagements in road transportation activities.
Agomoh said that the problem was universal, but regretted that developing countries, especially in Sub-Sahara Africa were worst hit by the menace.
According to him, “26.6 per cent of road traffic fatality rate per 100,000 human population occurs in Africa”, while “24.1 per cent of global road traffic deaths per 100,000 human population is in Africa”.
Agomoh explained that, “the aggregate impacts of road safety neglects have resulted in huge loses to Nigeria’s economy, amounting to three per cent of annual Gross Domestic Products (GDP) with the effect being more visible as the economy expands”, insisting that “the country’s economy has lost $168,512,146.080 between 1960 and 2007, and $122,771,370.000 between 2007 and 2017,” (approximately N105,182,451,547.315)
He charged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and other road transport operators to take ownership of their profession and ensure that they contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of the nation.
Agomoh further charged the local government authorities and the law enforcement agencies, especially the police to ensure sanity at the various motor parks in the state with a view to ridding the society of illicit drugs and alcoholic drinks, which were the major causes of road accidents.
He further challenged other stakeholders to ensure that the public were enlightened on the best road safety standards and driving behaviours as well as enforce all relevant laws on traffic defaulters.
The FRSC commander said, “Enlightenment without enforcement is entertainment, so, we need to go a step further by ensuring more enforcement in order to save more lives.”
The Rivers Branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Ominiayebagha Kalango, said that the union would continue to sanction members found driving under the influence of substances.
Earlier while declaring the workshop open, SPDC’s General Manager, External Relations, Mr Igo Weli, said that the company was particularly worried on the spate of accidents that occur on the nation’s highways on a daily basis.
Weli said, many of the road accidents would have been avoided if drivers have the requisite skills and take seriously the safety of their passengers.
“In SPDC, health safety is a priority, in such that, it comes ahead of production of crude oil and other of our businesses. We believe that health is wealth.
“Today, our focus is on drivers’ health and road safety which is key element to maintaining sanity and reducing accidents on our roads.
“We are passionate about this because drivers move us and millions of Nigerians by road on a daily basis.” he said.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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