Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), urging members to align with global best practices to reduce traffic crashes across Nigeria.
He tasked the council with setting National Road Safety Strategy targets and ensuring effective coordination among federal, state, and local governments to achieve shared road safety objectives.
During the inauguration ceremony on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized the 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 commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its efforts, 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 the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to embrace these recommendations as “a catalyst for the much-needed reforms in this sector.”
He also praised the cooperation 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.”
Shettima expressed confidence that this initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s promise to strengthen administrative capacities across government bodies, stating, “I am confident that this intervention will enhance our transportation system and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, who also serves as Secretary of the Advisory Council, stated that the inauguration of NaRSAC opens a new chapter in road safety management in Nigeria.
He highlighted the importance of fast-tracking the implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), which responds to the call for safe road usage. Mohammed noted that the establishment of the council underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens on the roads.
“The implementation of the NRSS provides a clear direction towards achieving the vision for road safety, using the globally accepted ‘safe system approach’ for managing road safety,” he added.
He further asserted that the effective implementation of the NRSS is a top priority for the council, stating, “Nigeria now has an opportunity of reducing to zero deaths, the number of casualties recorded in road traffic crashes.”
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The NaRSAC is chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with membership comprising six governors, one from each of the six geopolitical zones, as well as ministers from various sectors including Transportation, Works, Health, Justice, Education, Finance, Environment, Police Affairs, Interior, Budget and Economic Planning, FCT, Information, and Labour & Productivity.
Additional members include the National Security Adviser, the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), representatives from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
