The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has commenced road safety sensitisation in schools along 12 recently completed rural roads to promote responsible road use and prevent accidents.
The Project Coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, who led the sensitisation team, said the exercise was designed to educate students, drivers, traders and other road users on basic road safety practices, road signs and road furniture.
Adunmo stressed the importance of educating students, particularly those living and schooling along the newly constructed roads, on safe road-use practices, noting that road accidents did not discriminate based on a person’s complexion or educational background.
He explained that the initiative was also aimed at sustaining the benefits of the road projects through safe and responsible use of the infrastructure by members of the benefiting communities.
According to him, good roads alone do not guarantee safety, as vehicle conditions and drivers’ knowledge of road signs and other road furniture are equally important.
The coordinator observed that some drivers were unfamiliar with basic road safety features, including zebra crossings, adding that the sensitisation would address such knowledge gaps and encourage safer road use.
He urged students to remain vigilant when crossing roads and cultivate the habit of leaving home early to avoid rushing to school.
Adunmo reminded the pupils of the promising future ahead of them and advised them to make their personal safety a priority.
“We told the students of the need to stay alive because they have a great future ahead of them; be watchful while crossing, and if you want to arrive at school on time, leave early,” he said.
He said traders and motorists in Ilupeju-Ekiti were also being educated on appropriate traffic directions, particularly in areas where one side of the road was designated for entry and the other for exit.
The project coordinator added that the awareness campaign would help minimise avoidable traffic conflicts and accidents, especially during busy market days.
He thanked Gov. Biodun Oyebanji and the World Bank for supporting the construction of the roads, saying their collaboration had contributed to improving the economies of several rural communities in the state.
Adunmo noted that RAAMP had engaged traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the beneficiary communities before commencing the projects.
He assured residents that the project would sustain its engagement with communities and other stakeholders to promote responsible road use and ensure that the infrastructure continued to serve its intended purpose.
In her remarks, the Project’s Social Safeguard Officer,
Miss Temilola Ajayi, said the sensitisation became necessary because the newly constructed roads could pose safety risks, particularly when motorists oversped or engaged in other negligent practices.
Ajayi explained that the initiative was intended to protect road users, especially schoolchildren who used the roads on their way to and from school.
She expressed optimism that the sensitisation, alongside the provision of road signs and other road furniture, would help prevent accidents.
The completed roads include Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo Road, Ilupeju-Egan-Ayede Road, Ara-Ekameta Road, Ijero-Epe-Araromi-Iropora Road, Owode-Anaye Road, Afolu-Odofin Road and Ise-Imola Road.
Others are Ikogosi-Aba Osun-Aba Oriokuta-Ilawe Road, Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu Road, Igbole-Osi-Iropora Road, Ido-Ipere-Iludun Road and FMS Farm-Oke Ako Road.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ekiti Sector Command, conducted the road safety talks during the sensitization