Aminata Sanneh
Information Officer, MOTWI
In a bold move toward safer roads, the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure (MoTWI) launched a road safety awareness campaign on Monday, October 7, 2024. The initiative targets basic schools along the highway in the North Bank Region, aiming to reduce road accidents and fatalities as part of the government’s long-term vision of achieving zero road deaths by 2030.
Mr. Saikou Kujabi, Principal Transport Regulatory Officer, emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to reaching these ambitious targets. “This school road safety campaign is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads,” Kujabiestated. “We are working tirelessly to ensure these goals are met,” he added.
He further highlighted the Gambia Road Safety Strategy 2030 developed to tackle the persistent issue of road traffic accidents that result in human tragedy and significant economic losses. “This strategy is crucial to curbing the alarming rates of road accidents in The Gambia,” he added.
In collaboration with partners, the MoTWI has also rolled out a Road Safety Work Plan 2021-2030, developed by technical experts from both the public and private sectors. The work plan outlines key activities the Road Safety Unit will implement in the coming years. “Road safety is a complex issue that requires a multi-sectoral and multi-faceted approach,” Kujabie noted.
Dr. Momodou Gassama, a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO), stressed the urgency of the matter, citing that road accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 5 to 29, according to global statistics. “A young person dies every four minutes worldwide due to road accidents,” Gassama said, while underscoring the importance of the campaign for lower and upper-basic school students.
He advised students to exercise caution when using the roads, especially when crossing highways. “We urge students to be vigilant and avoid crossing roads when vehicles are moving at high speeds,” he cautioned.
Headmasters from Fass Njaga Choi and Kanuma Lower Basic Schools expressed their appreciation for the campaign, acknowledging that the safety of their students is vital to their educational success.
This initiative by the Ministry of Transport marked a significant step toward building a safer road network in The Gambia, aligning with the country’s broader goal of eliminating road accidents and fatalities by 2030.