Stakeholders Brainstorm on Road Safety

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Gibairu Janneh and Momodou Jawo

13 May 2011

The Gambia has demonstrated its commitment to the United Nations proclaimed Decade of Action for Road Safety. The country’s commitment to this noble cause was pronounced Wednesday at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure in partnership with the National Youth Parliament of The Gambia and Gambia Red Cross Society-National Youth Commission Road Safety Partnership.

The forum, whose theme was “Decade of Action, Gambia Committed”,was held at the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure along the MDI Road in Kanifing. It was also part of activities marking the launch of the UN proclamation, and aims at drawing attention to the impact of the global road safety crisis as well as create a synergy among stakeholders so that efforts can be amalgamated for commitment to action for the Decade of Action 2011-2020.

Speaking at the forum, Demba Bah, the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure noted that over the years the Gambia government has invested massively in the improvement and expansion of the country’s road network in an effort to promote economic growth and social development. He further spoke at length about the strategic plan of the NRA in the quest to improve the road network and safety of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the WHO representative, Dr Momodou Gassama said the forum marks a significant milestone in the global effort to reduce death and injury on the world’s roads. He revealed that road traffic crashes take the lives of nearly 1.3 million people every year and injure 20-50 million more, saying that while road traffic injuries are a global public health problem, it is more so in the developing countries with 13.4 road traffic deaths per 100 000 population registered annually in Europe. Gassama further disclosed that Africa registers 32.2 per 100,000, adding that road traffic injuries have become the leading cause of death for people aged 15-29 years.

He said the WHO’s contribution to, and concern for road safety could be dated back to the very day its constitutional mandate became operationalised 63 years ago. He also recalled that in 2004, WHO in collaboration with the World Bank made a deliberate attempt to provoke international attention by dedicating the would health day celebration of that year to road safety, and since then, both the WHO and the United Nations General Assembly passed a number of resolutions aimed at fostering global action in support of road safety.

Speaking on behalf of the NRA managing director, Eassa Drammeh reminded media practitioners, civil societies, NGOs and youth groups about the important role they can play in promoting road safety, adding that NRA recognises these institutions as critical partners. He asserted that The Gambia has made significant strides since the shifting of global attention on road safety. He added that the forum should therefore pave the way for implementing aspects of the recommendation especially in the areas where significant progress have not been registered.

The forum was characterised by a six-minute film show on the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The stakeholders also critically assessed their individual roles and collective strides necessary to promote road safety in the country.

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