Abuja: The President of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has urged African nations to elevate road safety to a continental priority. She made the call at the International Road Crash Victims Africa Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the conference was organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in collaboration with Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD). It brought together policymakers, safety advocates, and victims’ support groups to address the rising toll of road crashes across Africa. Justice Dongban-Mensem, who is also the founder of KRSD, stressed the urgent need for stronger legislation to protect road users, cushion the impact of accidents on families, and curb the recklessness of drivers.
Justice Dongban-Mensem emphasized that Africa’s shared experiences necessitate a collective approach to road safety. She noted that effective enforcement, public enlightenment, and modern traffic management systems are critical to reducing deaths on African roads. She highlighted that road crashes are a leading cause of death among young people in Africa, calling for coordinated action from governments, civil society, and transport unions.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring safer road transport nationwide. He warned that Africa must urgently develop practical solutions to prevent the loss of young, productive citizens to road crashes. He noted that investments in road infrastructure are being expanded to drive economic growth while safeguarding lives and property.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, stressed that strict enforcement of traffic rules and increased visibility of FRSC personnel would help restore order on the roads. He called for mandatory inclusion of proper road signage in construction contracts and praised the FRSC for its leadership in advancing road safety across the continent.
The conference, themed ‘Gathering the World, Africa for Road Crash Victims,’ united officials from 15 African nations, alongside experts from the World Bank, United Nations, and global NGOs, to champion the rights and needs of road crash victims.