By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Government, on Monday, urged state governments to support efforts meant to enhance road safety initiatives and management to further reduce road crashes in the country.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, made the call during the inauguration of the Administrative Building of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Academy, Udi near Enugu.

Mustapha, who was represented by a Director in his office, Mr. Jamiu Abdulkareem, also noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to support all noble aspirations of FRSC meant to safeguard the lives of Nigerians.

He said that the government would continue to provide adequate funding and necessary logistics to the FRSC for sustainable safety campaigns to rid the highways of road traffic crashes.

According to him, this administration is equally poised to facilitate the leading role of FRSC in road traffic administration and safety management in Africa.

"Let me at this juncture; appreciate the Enugu State Government under the amiable leadership of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Ugwuanyi, for the show of uncommon support for the Corps.

While acknowledging the goodwill the Federal Government enjoys with the Enugu State Government, SGF said the “purposeful partnership should be emulated by other state governments, organisations and individuals to enhance the country’s road safety management efforts.”

He however tasked FRSC on the need to properly position itself to ensure that the academy played its role meaningfully in order to amplify its relevance in the society.

The Chairman of FRSC Board, Mr. Buhari Bello, called on the Federal Government through the SGF office to intervene in the ecological challenge of erosion threatening the academy.

Bello also commended Gov Ugwuanyi for investing heavily in the academy and contributing more to the building and completion of the administrative block in record time.

“We are grateful to the governor and the good people of Enugu State for believing in and also investing in the development of the academy,’’ he said.

Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, noted that Enugu State contributed 90 per cent of the money used in erecting the administrative block as well as built all access roads in the academy.

Oyeyemi also appealed to the Enugu State government and the good people of the state for an additional 15 hectares of land for expansion.

“I must appreciate Gov. Ugwuanyi and the good people of the state for making it possible for the academy to get these huge investments and support to grow and become the first-rate road safety academy in Africa,” he said.

Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked Udi people for donating a large portion of land for the initial take-off of the academy, adding that the academy has helped to build a strong partnership between FRSC and Enugu State people”.

He lauded the Federal Government and leadership of FRSC for the vision of building a world-class and first-rate road safety academy in Africa, which would enhance initiatives meant to reduce road crashes in Nigeria and the entire Africa.

"Enugu State within its limited resources will continue to support the FRSC to build positive road culture among Nigerians and reduce road crashes to the barest minimum,’’ he said.

The governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states sent in their goodwill message through their various representatives at the event.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of the tape of the Administrative Building by Gov. Ugwuanyi as well as tour of the building by dignitaries.

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