Defence
THE Federal Government has advocated that victims of traffic crashes receive appropriate and speedy justice in terms of quality care and quality rehabilitation such as physical, emotional and financial compensation as part of post-crash activities.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said this during the commemoration of 2022 World Day of remembrance for Road Traffic Crash (RTCs) victims on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2022 Remembrance Day is “Justice, act for low speed and act for low speed streets” and the slogan is “Remember, Support and Act.”
Mustapha, who was represented by the acting Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Dauda Biu, said that everyone is either a victim of RTCs or is affected with its consequence.
He said that RTCs had physical, social, emotional and economic implications, adding that the fatalities, physical disability and morbidity from road accidents predominantly affect the young and the economically productive age groups.
He also said that survivors often suffer from the ordeal of a diminished quality of life from deformities and disabilities, post-traumatic stress to huge financial loss.
According to him, the implication is that the rest of the populace live in perpetual fear of traveling occasioned by not feeling safe on the roads
“To achieve the foregoing, we shall therefore ensure that crashes are properly investigated and speedy justice ensured for victims of crashes.
“Traffic offenders should be properly tried according to existing laws and persons found culpable are meted with appropriate sanctions as provided by established traffic regulations,“ he said.
Speaking during the event, the Minister of State for Health, Mr Joseph Ekumankama, said that it is imperative to remind stakeholders that Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) had caused and is still causing considerable economic losses to our citizens, their families and Nigeria as a whole.
Ekumankama, represented by Dr David Atuwo, said that these losses were sometimes as a result of the cost of treatment as well as loss of productivity.
He said that the theme which focused on Justice could not have been more appropriate as that aspect of road safety is often neglected.
According to him, “it is an aspect of road safety that helps to put road users in check. Prompt trial and punishment of identified traffic offenders serves as deterrents to potential; traffic offenders.
“We hope for an improved Justice system for road traffic offenders and victims of road traffic crashes.”
Also, Head of Mission and representative, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Mulombo, said that there was a need for all to prioritise roads, vehicles, and behaviours that are safe and ensure alternate models like walking, cycling, among others, to ensure a healthier, greener, and more sustainable response.
According to him, “I will like to remind us all that in order to achieve our goal of halving deaths from road traffic by 2030, urgent action by each and every one of us is key.
“We do not want more victims to remember, we want to live our lives together with them. We must, therefore, all rise to the occasion to achieve this feat come 2030.
“As WHO, and the wider UN family, we will continue to support the country’s continued concerted and drastic actions toward achieving this target. We should all remember, to Support and to Act,“ he said. (NAN)
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Tags: Boss Mustapha Dauda Biu FRSC
