Between January and October 2020, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom Sector Command recorded 72 road crashes and 16 deaths.
The Akwa Ibom Sector Commander, Mr Oga Ochi, gave the figure in his remarks during the commemoration ceremony of the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes held in Uyo on Friday.
Ochi said that during the period, no fewer than 93 persons were injured in the 72 crashes in the state.
According to him, the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes was set aside by the United Nations on every third Sunday of November to remember millions of lives lost or hurt in road traffic crashes.
Ochi said that the activities were expected to highlight measures being taken by national governments, Non-Governmental Organisations, religious bodies, communities against the menace of road traffic crashes.
“It is good to note that from January to October 2020, the state recorded a total of 72 road crashes, 16 fatalities and 93 persons injured.
“This figure even though low when compared to other states of the federation, cannot be acceptable norm. All hands must be on deck to enable us record zero road traffic crashes in the state,” Ochi said.
The sector commander assured Akwa Ibom people that the FRSC would continue to work with strategic stakeholders to pursue public enlightenment programmes and aggressive enforcement of traffic rules to serve as deterrent to traffic violators.
He said that the corps would join relevant stakeholders to create the necessary awareness in the week-long activities to address the challenges of road crashes and measures to ensure safety on the road.
Ochi urged members of the public to remember the plight that victims of road traffic crashes, their families, friends and loved ones suffered by avoiding infractions that undermined their safety.
The sector commander advocated better support for road traffic victims and victims’ families and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road deaths and injuries.
He called on members of the public to pay special attention to their personal safety while driving to avoid road crashes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2020 World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes is, “Remember, Support, Act.”
NAN reports that goodwill messages were received from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister security agencies operating in the state.
