FRSC Signs MOU With NBL On Responsive Driving

Further to sustained efforts to demonstrate  its commitment to strong partnerships to encourage responsible consumption of alcohol, the management of the Nigerian Breweries has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps on the “Don’t Drink and Drive” safety awareness campaign with the specific aim of educating the Nigerian motoring public on traffic hazards associated with drunk-driving.

 

Speaking during the formal endorsement of the partnership, the Managing Director Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde said the that the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign which has entered its 7^th year , is an important part of the company’s sustainability journey tagged Brew a Better World, noting that Brew a Better World strategy helps identify ways to contribute positively to the planet and society such as protecting water resources, reducing carbon emissions and sustainably sourcing of raw materials.

He stressed that the Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign is one of the ways they can give back to the society as part of their vision of winning with Nigeria, adding that since its launch in 2008, they have held 27 rallies in major cities across the country. “Let me use this opportunity to thank the Federal Road Safety Corps for being a great partner in executing the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign.

 

"As a further demonstration of our continuous commitment to this partnership, we will today sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps to formalise the terms of our engagement going into the future”.

 

According to him, this year’s edition of the campaign will include public enlightenment sessions at motor parks in four cities across Nigeria namely Port Harcourt, Lagos, Onitsha and Makurdi. He added that there will also be a capacity building workshop for officers of the FRSC and leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers. Stressing that they anticipate that messages communicated through these avenues will further enhance awareness of
road safety and encourage positive changes in drivers’ behaviour in relation to alcohol consumption.

                        
Speaking on the inauguration of a Special Marshals Unit of the Nigerian Breweries, he said “Additionally, we will inaugurate our corporate Unit of the FRSC Special Marshal Corps. This is made up entirely by volunteers from our employee population. Our employees volunteered to be members of the FRSC Special Marshal as part of our commitment to enhancing road safety in Nigeria. This will be in line with the FRSC objective of implementing the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety with the mission to reduce road crash death and accident by 50% by 2020. In view of the United Nations Decade of Actions on Road Safety, Vervelde solicited for everyone’s continuous support towards enhancing road safety in Nigeria.

 Responding after the formal investiture of the Mr. Vervelde as Honorary Special Marshal, the FRSC Corps Marshal recalled that “past studies have shown that alcohol-related road crashes remain a major global issue over the years and because the phenomenon can be averted if necessary precautions are taken , stakeholders have continued to create adequate awareness on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

In view of this, Nigeria Breweries plc and the Federal Road Safety Corps have sustained this corporate engagement through the  “Don’t drive and Drink” campaign which usually comes up during the Ember season as part of measures to address traffic peculiarities associated with the season.

 According to him, “ annual global statistics show that road crash fatalities stands at about 1.3 million people, adding that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15-29 years. He reiterated that 80% of the world’s fatalities on the roads occur in low and middle-income countries”.

He explained that if concerted efforts are not made by relevant stakeholders, road traffic crashes could result in deaths of about 1.9 million people by 2020. He also added that despite the scourge of road traffic crashes, it has not received sufficient political recognition by governments. “According to the world road traffic injuries fact sheet No: 358 of 2013, only 28 countries representing 416 million ( 7% of the world’s population) have adequate laws that address all the 5 risk factors ( speed, drink driving, helmets, seat belt and child restraint)” he said.