The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria ( RTEAN) has introduced the Pre and Post Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation sector to reduce the rate of deaths arising from any road crashes.
The National President of RTEAN, Dr Musa Maitakobi, while inaugurating the programme on Wednesday in Abuja, explained that the initiative was targeted at making travelling on the road safer and pleasurable.
Represented by Amb. Muhammad Abubakar, Deputy National President of RTEAN, Maitakobi, said the programme was designed and initiated for implementation in line with the requirements as stipulated by the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.
He said: ” It should be recalled that we had earlier established Travelers Accident Insurance Scheme (TAIS) where all road crash victims who boarded RTEAN vehicles at designated areas are properly taken care of and have emergency rescue and support.
” But after a critical review of the programmes as earlier initiated for the benefits of the travellers, we saw the need to actually complement what had been put in place for greater efficiency, effectiveness and better success.
” Hence the idea of introducing the Pre and Post Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation sector to reduce the rate of deaths arising from any road crashes.”
Maitakobi recalled that in September 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/74/299 “Improving global road safety” proclaiming the Decade of Action for Road Safety” 2021- 2030.
He added: ” With the ambitious target of preventing at least 50 per cent of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
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” One of the five pillars of 2021-2030 Decade Action for Road Safety Agenda that is; post-crash response, contributes to improving the quality of victims and helps to avoid secondary traumatization.
” And range of physical, psychological and legal needs which may include physical injuries and resulting disability that can impair re-integration into work and family life, as well as economic and legal sequela.
” To avoid this, an emergency response is needed that can contribute and assist in an accident situation.”
Maitakobi said that RTEAN intended to enhance and further improve on the response time at any emergency situation on the road.
He said: ” And for the purpose of building the capacities of our members, we shall massively train them in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross officials to most efficiently handle emergency situations at the point of accident before moving to the hospital.
” This will save lives, as provision of Mobile Emergency First Aid Clinics will be provided on the road.
” The road traffic accident victims will be assisted to receive first aid treatment to be able to save lives from the point of accidents by our trained members.”
Maitakobi said that the association would embark on huge public enlightenment and publicity.
He added: ” This is the first time any association or union in the transport sector is initiating a critical programme that involves lives in collaboration with a variety of professionals and experts in the field that will go nationwide in Nigeria.
” It is also our belief that with time, more persons will be trained (as we embark on training the trainers) and the issue of travellers dying before they could get to the hospital will be minimized and a thing of the past, Insha Allah.
” And with the support from all relevant Government Agencies and organizations, we shall succeed and the roads will be made death free for Nigerians.”
Maitakobi called on the security agencies to give all the necessary support to the victims of road accidents, especially in regard to emergency treatment and in the hospitals and clinics.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said the programme was a good initiative that would minimize road crashes in the country.
Represented by Mrs Angela Keyede, the ministry’s Deputy Director, Department of Road Transport, Ajani said ” with the inauguration of this initiative, I’m sure the country will witness better driving and minimal road crashes.
Also, the Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said that the initiative was another milestone achievement in the history of the association.
He said: ” This is one of the initiatives that can reduce road crashes down to 50 per cent.”
On his part, the National Legal Adviser, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Mohammed Dikwa, said: “We are happy to be part of this programme as a voluntary organisation that responds to disasters of all kinds including road crashes.
” We teach people how to manage emergencies. RTEAN is well organised and we will continue to partner and mitigate road crashes in the country.”
