NIGERIA; CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE VOCAL ON SAFETY OF ROAD USERS

Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have since the inception of democratic dispensation demonstrated passion, consistency and selfless service to national development and human rights advocacy. Nigeria is undergoing transformation through credible elections that have seen the participation of civil society organizations as reliable partners of positive transformation.

There are ernomous tasks ahead which the civil society organizations in Nigeria must tackle. The intolerable level of corruption with the private and public sector must be challenged. Unemployment is among causes of youth engagement in negative vices that are detrimental to economic and human development.

The abuse of the rights of road users in Nigeria should be challenged. It is no longer safe for people to travel on Nigeria roads for reasons of poor safety facilities, inconsistent road safety/traffic policy, abssence of accountablity and responsibility on road transport matters and abysmal road safety enforcement. The authorities responsible for road/traffic safety are neither supervised or indicted over their failure to ensure safety of road users. Dozens are injured and killed through avoidable and preventable road traffic accidents, yet not much is done by responsible government to mitigate the carnage.

Civil society Organization must be focused in advocating for safety of lives and properties of road users as they are the most vulnerable in the context of safety in Nigeria.

The road transport sector has become infested with incompetent drivers possessing fake drivers license. Majority of the vehicles used in the transportation of choiceless commutters are not road worthy. They have become agent of death waiting for innocent souls to devour.

Nigeria is among developing countgries with high rate of road traffic accidents, injuries and deaths but yet the sector suffer untold neglect. Civil societies, Nigeria Bar Association, Human Rights Organizations, National Human Right Commission, Consumer Protection Council, Public complaints Commission, International Development Partners, Traders organizations, Market leaders and others whose means of movement is by road transport should rise to this challenge and save Nigeria Road Users from preventable and avoidable road traffic injuries and deaths.

Fidelis Nnadi

Executive Director

Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative