The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, has extolled the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on its initiatives to curb road accidents in school environs through advocacy and enlightenment campaigns on road signs and symbols.
The Permanent Secretary made this known today when the leadership of NANS, Abuja (FCT Chapter), led by its President, Comrade PeterJesse, paid her a courtesy visit at the Ministry.
Àccording to her, the proposal to educate and enlighten pupils/students of primary and secondary schools within the FCT metropolis is a laudable one, bearing in mind that it could avert loss of lives.
Dr. Ajani acknowledged that the delegation’s courtesy call in relation to the project is not misplaced as the Federal Ministry of Transportation oversees road services. She, however advised them to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to access verifiable data of accidents within Abuja as it relates to school locations and most likely affected persons.
Similarly, she pointed out that the FRSC as the only constituted body with the mandate to regulate and ensure strict compliance road traffic codes is in a better position to advice on how to run such campaigns for maximum impact.
Ajani also advised that the scope of coverage which is FCT is too large, urging them to identify key areas to kick start the campaign.
She further encouraged them to think of avenues of empowering themselves considering that they have been out of school for 6 months and still counting.
Speaking earlier, the President, Comrade Peter Jesse, said the body has identified lack of road signage or non-adherence to it as being responsible for road accidents and prayed the Ministry to support it to embark on the on the task.
In furtherance of the above, Jesse said the plan is to establish Road Safety Clubs in schools so that students can be exposed to safety issues early enough.
In addition, the President said they equally need support to embark on training youths on entrepreneurial skills set to support the Nigerian youths most of whom are stuck at home following the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics strike.
Eric Ojiekwe D (PPR) 15th July, 2022
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