STATEMENT FOR UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK 2025
Protocol:
1. I’m honored to represent NGOs and CSOs during this auspicious Global Road Safety Week 2025 with the theme “Streets for Life #MakeWalkingSafe, MakeCyclingSafer.”
2. This edition of the Global Road Safety Week is a call on every stakeholder to give attention to the vulnerable road users as we have been building roads for Vehicles rather than people. This have always led to increase in road fatalities and serious injuries.
3. The vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists particularly Children deserve our utmost attention. We call on governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to consider Road designs that is all inclusive with adequate roads signs and signals with emphasis on pedestrian Walkways. Government and relevant authorities should remove all Hawkers on Pedestrian Bridges across the Country.
4. Our Road designs should also consider people with disabilities to use roads without hindrance.
5. We the NGOs are committed to collaborative efforts that promote road safety awareness, reduce accidents, and save lives. We are also committed to join hands with the FRSC in implementing the Marrakech Declaration.
6. We commend the Corps Marshal and his team for their tireless efforts in enforcing traffic regulations, educating the public, and responding to emergencies. Together, we can reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries in West Africa.
7. Distinguished audience, I call on the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prioritize road safety by allocating increased funding for the FRSC.
8. We equally call on International organizations and development partners to provide necessary technical assistance to Road Safety Agencies, resources, and expertise to enhance our capacity to address road safety challenges in Africa.
9. Finally I call upon leaders to commit to meaningful actions, ensuring that road safety is a priority for all. Road safety is a collective responsibility that requires everyone’s active involvement. Together, let’s make walking and cycling safe for everyone, everywhere.
10. Thank you.