President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the federal government is committed to a future in which road traffic crashes (RTCs) no longer claim lives.
Mr Tinubu made the declaration in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the International Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims Conference in Abuja.
The president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said the era of preventable deaths on the nation’s highways must end.
He said the conference’s theme, “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,” reflected a shared resolve to address what he described as an “epidemic” of road crashes affecting families and communities nationwide.
The event was organised by Kwapda Road Safety Demand (KRSD) in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). It brought together families of victims, safety advocates, policymakers, and development partners.
Citing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the president noted that about 1.19 million people die annually from RTCs globally, while another 50 million sustain various degrees of injuries.
Mr Tinubu said almost every Nigerian has either suffered or knows someone who has suffered from a road crash, adding that many victims live with permanent scars and long-term trauma.
He said his administration would continue to prioritise initiatives that promote safe motorisation, including the ongoing Lagos–Calabar coastal road project and several rehabilitation projects underway across the country.
“The federal government is also expanding rail and water transport systems and supporting state governments in delivering modern highway infrastructure to ensure safer travel.
“Nigeria must move beyond words to decisive action if it is to reverse the rising fatalities on its roads. Road traffic deaths have become a national emergency.
“However, the government awaits the conclusions of the conference to further deepen Nigeria’s road safety policies and interventions,” he added.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving zero deaths from RTCs, working with the FRSC, relevant government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to build a sustainable, safe transport system.
In his remarks, the FRSC corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, called for increased global political commitment to improving support for road traffic crash victims.
Mr Mohammed expressed optimism that outcomes from the conference would spur more nations and leaders to strengthen political will, attention, and action towards road safety.
He said such commitment would help reduce fatalities and injuries associated with road crashes, not only in Nigeria but across the world.
Mr Mohammed reaffirmed the FRSC’s resolve to continue expanding its interventions to ensure that crash victims receive the attention and support they deserve globally.
(NAN)