Nigeria: Road Accidents Kill Faster in Nigeria Than Aids

Mr Nseobong Akpabio, Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said on Thursday that road accident had killed more Nigerians than HIV and AIDS.

Akpabio made the remark during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations Unit Command, Ikeja, Mr Dan Ugo.

"Road accident remains the greatest killer in the country today; it kills faster than HIV and AIDS.

"It is only motor accident that can wipe out a whole family at once, but HIV/AIDS, if properly managed, the patient can still survive as long as God wishes.

"It is only on the road that you can see a family wiped out in just a minute because of the indiscipline of one person," he said.

Akpabio called for collaborative efforts by stakeholders toward ensuring safety on the roads.

He said: "Road safety is a collective responsibility and it should not be left for the FRSC alone.

"It should be everybody's responsibility as nobody is immune to road accident; it is no respecter of status of persons".

Akpabio said the visit was part of efforts by the FRSC to collaborate with major stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, religious organisations, motor parks and schools.

He urged the custom's boss to mount enlightenment campaigns for his officials on the need to imbibe road safety culture.

Akpabio disclosed that 15 formations of the corps had been established in Lagos State for effective enlightenment campaigns and coverage.

According to him, about 1.3 million people die annually across the world as a result of road accidents.

"More than 50 million had been injured or maimed for life and turning some women into widows and children into orphans."

Ugo promised effective collaboration and support for the FRSC in a bid to rid the roads of accidents.

He blamed increasing rate of road crashes on indiscipline and ignorance on the part of motorists.

The sector commander later visited Lekki and Lagos Island units of the corps, where he charged officers to be more dedicated to their duties.

The head of Lekki Unit, Mr Istifanus Ibrahim, said most of the accidents on Lagos-Lekki-Epe Expressway were caused by motorists making u-turns.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a mild drama occurred at the Lekki-Ajah toll gate when the operators insisted that the official car of the sector commander and his patrol van should pay toll.

The convoy was delayed for about 15 minutes until the toll of N270 was paid for the two vehicles.

Lagos State Government had in 2011 concession the 49-km Lekki-Epe Expressway to Messers Lekki Concession Company Ltd.