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Loss Of Lives On Nigerian Highways And The Failure Of FRSC By Padio Phineas

May 5, 2019

In Nigeria, it is easy to assume that the road transport sector, among other land base logistics services is not regulated. This argument is premised on how operators and more often commuters in the sector, violate the rules with impunity.

Transport and road safety in Nigeria, will in the foreseeable future remain elusive.

What is worrisome is how loss of lives and valuable goods are on the rise, due to crass neglect of duty.

Data obtained from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) website show that road crashes involving articulated vehicles alone, recorded 46,690 casualties with 11,146 fatalities from 2007 to 2017. 

This is because the laws regulating the transport sector and road safety have been defied with impunity.

In Nigeria, it is easy to assume that the road transport sector, among other land base logistics services, is not regulated.

This argument is premised on how operators and more often commuters in the sector, violate the rules with impunity.

More so, that land based commercial transportation system in Nigeria, is to a considerable extent, a poor man's headache.

In saner climes, vehicles designated for purposes other than public transport, operate within bounds. As the law enforcement component is functional.

On the contrary, vehicles clearly marked "Goods only", are a common feature on Nigerian highways, conveying passengers from one destination to the other.

In many instances, operators of such articulated vehicles are not conversant with highway codes and other elementary rudiments of their trade.

To them, it is normal to load their trucks with goods above capacity; and afterwards add passengers on top of the ware. 

A Ready case is the trailer overloaded with goods and people in this report as captured by our Correspondent along Abuja - Kaduna road recently.

Looking at the picture, the pertinent question to ask is what happens, if the vehicle tumbles, it would be unthinkable to imaging the fate of the passengers on top of the truck.

What is disgusting though, is how authorities concerned have continued to condone the practice, ignoring its dangerous consequences on lives and property.

More disgusting is how public funds are being expanded through budgetary allocation annually on road safety without commemorate results.

Therefore, it is the candid view of stakeholders that high casualties from avoidable road crashes in the 21st century Nigeria, is simply unacceptable.

That is why the FRSC and other agencies of government, saddled with the responsibly of mitigating road crashes must sit up and ensure that safety rules as obtained in the air and other transport sectors are respected and obeyed by operators and commuters alike.

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