Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), and urged its members to adopt global best practices to reduce traffic crashes and improve road safety across Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President’s aide on Media and Communications.
Shettima who spoke at an event held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stressed the importance of road safety, noting that it is “Not merely a matter of policy but a critical part of the lifeline that connects the people of this nation.”
The Vice President tasked the council with setting National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) targets and ensuring seamless coordination between federal, state, and local governments to achieve the country’s shared road safety objectives.
He praised the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and described the organization as having “consolidated a robust strategy to address the nation’s road traffic challenges.”
According to the statement, the establishment of NaRSAC is part of initiative to improve Nigeria’s road traffic administration and safety management, which aligns with recommendations from the World Bank Country Capacity Review. The review highlighted areas in need of reform in the road safety management.
However, VP Shettima called on the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, to implement the recommendations as “a catalyst for the much-needed reforms in this sector.”
He stated the importance of collaboration, and praised the coordination between federal and state executives as well as various government agencies.
“This spirit of unity exemplifies the essence of working together for the common good,” he said, while affirming that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader vision of strengthening administrative capacities across all levels of government.
In his charge to the newly inaugurated council members, VP Shettima outlined their critical role in setting strategic goals for road safety and ensuring the effective coordination of efforts at all levels of government.
“This intervention will enhance our transportation system and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who is also the secretary of the advisory council, stated that the inauguration of NaRSAC marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s road safety management.
He added that the council’s focus will be on fast-tracking the implementation of the NRSS, which is the country’s comprehensive response to road safety challenges using the globally accepted “safe system approach.”
He further stated that the NRSS provides a clear pathway toward the goal of reducing road traffic casualties to zero, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property on Nigerian roads.
The council chaired by Vice President Shettima, includes membership from six governors representing each geopolitical zone, as well as Ministers of Transportation, Works, Health, Justice, Education, Finance, Environment, Police Affairs, Interior, Budget and Economic Planning, FCT, Information and Labour & Productivity.
Other members include, National Security Adviser, 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.