ABUJA – The former Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Osita Chidoka, says making the roads safer is both economically and socially beneficial to any nation which desired growth.
Chidoka, who spoke at farewell parade in his honour in Abuja on Tuesday, said that any nation which desired to develop must save the vulnerable group from road carnage.
According to him, making the roads safer is necessary because majority of the 1.3 million people who die from road accident annually in the globe are those in the productive age.
“The economic loss of about 3 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of developing countries made Nigeria in 2013 alone lose N1.7 trillion, an equivalent of 10 billion dollars,’’ he said.
He, however, expressed joy that he was leaving behind the FRSC, a well-positioned organisation capable of facing the future.
“I am leaving an FRSC that primed for the future…process-driven and evidence-based with staff that is well-motivated and ready to face the future that is bright.
“I make bold to say that the FRSC I am leaving behind has the best trained officer with excellent academic and professional trainings,’’ he said.
Chidoka said that the commission rescued 15,875 people from road accidents in 2010, 43,875 in 2011 and 71,504 in 2013. [eap_ad_2] He said in 2014, the commission had so far rescued 33,269 people from road traffic accidents across the country.
The former corps marshal called on operatives of the commission to sustain the heights it had attained over the years.
Chidoka, born in July 1971, was appointed the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in 2007 and was President, West African Road Safety Organisation.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and M.Sc in Transport Policy and Logistics, School of Public Policy at George Masson University, USA.
He was a Senior Adviser on Government and Business Relations, Mobil Producing Nigeria, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Chidoka also served as Personal Assistant to Minister of Transport and Special Assistant to the Senior Adviser to the President on Legal Matters, among other appointments.
Under his leadership, the FRSC has transformed to a functional lead agency in road traffic administration and safety management in the country.
He attracted the World Bank assistance on the Safe Corridor Project to Nigeria, leading to the Country Capacity Review training needs assessment, provision of patrol cars, ambulances and tow truck by the bank.
In recognition of his patriotic service to his fatherland, President Goodluck Jonathan conferred the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR on him in 2011. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]
