Road crashes and care for accident victims
SIR: I have read with so much sadness how many lives are wasted on the roads. It is indeed surprising that the government has not found it important to address this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
Road accidents are tending to be of epidemic proportions and it is easy to lay all the blames on the doorsteps of the FRSC but the simple truth is that the officers and men of the FRSC are not magicians. Their limited human resources and financial constraints will not enable them to be everywhere an accident occurs. I have heard a lot of people talk about road safety being a shared responsibility, but I think this has not been backed up by any form of commitment both in terms of funding or assistance to the FRSC.
It is really sad that our hospitals are neglecting more accident victims in spite of the oath of saving lives which doctors swore to upon being admitted to practise medicine. Circumstances leading to the death of NFA's marketing manager, Mr. Edozie Enemuo is a sad reminder that helps for accident victims do not get to them when most needed. It is really sad to observe that the limited facilities of the FRSC may not permit them to render rescue services as quickly as possible. The stark reality is that the government has not shown genuine concern on the safety of road users, otherwise, the autonomy granted the FRSC would have come with fresh investments and increased funding.
The challenges before the FRSC are great but firstly, the commission has to realise that more Nigerians are dying on the roads and this situation portends great danger for the socio-economic life of the average Nigerian road user. Indeed, the FRSC with its crop of dynamic officers and competent Corp Marshal, Major General H. Hananiya (rtd) should look elsewhere for additional funding. Aggressive fund drive from local and international funding agencies is what the FRSC needs now.
On care for accident victims, the government has not met its promises of free treatment and the doctors have also failed. The hope for safety of road users is a duty of the FRSC but the commission must look beyond the government's purse to effectively fund its operations.
The FRSC of Ghana has done it. The national road agencies of Botswana, South Africa and Uganda have learnt to rely less on government funding. I am certain the FRSC of Nigeria can do better if it can come up with fresh strategies.
Jebose Anyasi.
Kano, Kano State
