The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been selected to host the Permanent Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA).
The announcement was made at the Association’s inaugural General Assembly held in Lusaka, Zambia, from Thursday, 26 June to Friday, 27 June.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, revealed that FRSC secured 45 per cent of the total votes in a closely contested election. Zambia followed with 40 per cent, Senegal with 10 per cent, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with 5 per cent.
The election was conducted by the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP).
Mohammed described the victory as a landmark moment for Nigeria and a recognition of the FRSC’s continental leadership in road safety management.
He noted that hosting the Secretariat includes the responsibility of appointing an Executive Secretary to manage its daily affairs.
“Prior to the election, Nigeria voluntarily relinquished its position as Second Vice President in the Interim Executive Committee of AARSLA to pursue the Secretariat bid,” he stated.
He also confirmed that a regional realignment was agreed upon during the Lusaka meeting. Kenya retained the Presidency, while Benin Republic, Cameroon, Cape Verde, and Zambia were elected as First, Second, Third, and Fourth Vice Presidents respectively.
“I am overwhelmed by the recognition accorded Nigeria through the FRSC. It is a demonstration of the Corps’ role as a model in Africa,” Mohammed added.
He further disclosed that the SSATP had pledged to support the development of an internationally standardised Secretariat at the FRSC headquarters in Abuja. He assured that Nigeria’s digitalisation policy would enhance the Secretariat’s operations.
Mohammed also commended the Federal Government for its continued support and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of AARSLA.
He was accompanied to the General Assembly by Mr Lateef Ramoni, Focal Person of the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), and Dr Yusuf Suberu, representing Nigerian civil society organisations and NGOs.
The Assembly is expected to produce an action plan aimed at halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, in line with global targets.
AARSLA is an initiative of the SSATP, a World Bank-supported programme that partners with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to develop transport policy across 43 African countries.
(NAN)