VP Shettima inaugurates National Road Safety Advisory Council
…pledges commitment to safer roads
By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with a focus on reducing traffic accidents and improving road safety nationwide.
He tasked the council with setting National Road Safety Strategy targets and ensuring effective coordination between federal, state, and local governments to achieve shared road safety objectives.
In a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, during the ceremony on Friday, urged council members to adopt global best practices to ensure safer roads in Nigeria.
He further praised the Federal Road Safety Corps’ (FRSC) commitment, noting that the Corps has “consolidated a robust strategy to address the nation’s road traffic challenges” in its relatively short existence.
The establishment of NaRSAC aligns with recommendations from the World Bank Country Capacity Review, which identified areas for improvement in Nigeria’s road traffic administration and safety management.
VP Shettima urged FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, to embrace these recommendations as “a catalyst for the much-needed reforms in this sector.”
The Vice President also commended the seamless coordination between federal and state executives, as well as various government agencies, saying, “This spirit of unity exemplifies the essence of working together for the common good.”
He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to strengthen administrative capacities across government bodies.
“I am confident that this intervention will enhance our transportation system and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria,” Senator Shettima stated.
In his charge to the newly inaugurated council members, VP Shettima emphasized their role in “setting National Road Safety Strategy targets and ensuring coordination between the federal, state, and local governments in achieving our shared road safety objectives.”
Earlier, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, who is also the secretary of the advisory council, said the inauguration of the body opens a new chapter in road safety management in Nigeria, including fast-tracking the implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), which is the country’s response to the call for safer road usage.
He said the council’s inauguration underscores the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ lives and property on the roads, noting that the implementation of the NRSS provides a clear direction toward achieving the vision for road safety, using the globally accepted “safe system approach” for managing road safety.
Further referencing the effective implementation of the NRSS as a top priority of the Council, the Corps Marshal said Nigeria now has the opportunity to reduce road traffic crash casualties to zero.
The NaRSAC has Vice President Kashim Shettima as chairman, with membership drawn from six governors, one representing each of the six geo-political zones; and Ministers of Transportation, Works, Health, Justice, Education, Finance, Environment, Police Affairs, Interior, Budget and Economic Planning, FCT, Information, and Labour & Productivity.
Other members include the National Security Adviser, the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
