By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has emerged as the host of the Permanent Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA).

The announcement was made at the 1st General Assembly of the Association, held from Thursday, June 26 to Friday, June 27 in Lusaka, Zambia.

A statement by the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed on Friday in Abuja stated that FRSC secured 45 per cent of total votes in a keenly contested election.

Mohammed said that the election was organised by the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP).

He said that FRSC defeated Zambia with 40 per cent, Senegal with 10 per cent and the Democratic Republic of Congo with five per cent.

The FRSC boss described the victory as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and a testament to the Corps’ leadership in road safety management on the continent.

He said that the hosting right comes with the responsibility of producing the Executive Secretary for the day-to-day running of the association.

Mohammed, who expressed gratitude to delegates for the confidence reposed in Nigeria, assured that the Corps’ digitalisation policy would be deployed to strengthen the operations of the Secretariat.

“Prior to the election, Nigeria voluntarily relinquished its position as Second Vice President in the Interim Executive Committee of AARSLA to bid for the Secretariat.

“A realignment of regional representation was also adopted at the Lusaka meeting with Kenya retaining the Presidency.

“Benin Republic as First Vice President, Cameroon as Second Vice President, Cape Verde as Third Vice President, and Zambia as Fourth Vice President.

“I am overwhelmed by the recognition accorded Nigeria through the FRSC to host the permanent Secretariat. This is a demonstration of the Corps’ leadership role as a model in Africa,” he said.

Mohammed said that SSATP had also pledged to support the establishment of an internationally standardised Secretariat at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal commended the Federal Government for its continued support to the Corps and pledged Nigeria’s full commitment to the objectives of AARSLA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mohammed was accompanied to the meeting by Mr Lateef Ramoni, Focal Person of the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), and Dr Yusuf Suberu, representing Nigerian CSOs and NGOs.

NAN also reports that the General Assembly is expected to produce an action plan aimed at halving road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030, in line with global targets.

The 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 policies across 43 member countries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor and Yakubu Uba