The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving road safety, strengthening emergency response to road accidents and supporting the implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy II, which aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries.

Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu gave the assurance on Friday when the Abia Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Ngozi Ezeoma, led her management team on a courtesy visit to Government House, Umuahia.

Emetu disclosed that the administration of Governor Alex Otti would consider establishing a functional Abia State Road Safety Advisory Council to coordinate road safety initiatives across the state.

He explained that the proposed council would bring together relevant ministries, including Health, Works, Transport, Education and Environment, alongside the Nigerian Society of Engineers and security agencies. The body would operate within a clear policy framework to improve coordination among stakeholders.

The deputy governor described the FRSC's presentation on the 2021–2030 Road Safety Strategy as informative and pledged to present the proposal to Governor Otti for consideration and approval. He said the state government recognised the importance of policies and programmes that protect lives and improve public safety.

Emetu commended the FRSC for its technical support and acknowledged the operational challenges confronting the corps, particularly the shortage of patrol vehicles.

He assured the delegation that Governor Otti was aware of the challenges and that the government would work towards providing vehicles for the FRSC and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance and emergency response operations.

The deputy governor also identified accident-prone locations, including the Okwoyi axis, as areas requiring urgent attention.

On school safety, Emetu expressed support for installing speed breakers and introducing other traffic-calming measures around primary and secondary schools to protect pupils and students.

He further called for a coordinated effort to address dangerous road behaviours, including impatience, failure to obey traffic signs, and the use of drugs and alcohol by drivers.

Earlier, Corps Commander Ezeoma explained that the National Road Safety Strategy II seeks to reduce road traffic fatalities by at least 50 per cent by 2030, with the long-term vision of achieving zero deaths on the roads.

She said the strategy is built on five pillars: safer road management, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users and improved post-crash care.

Ezeoma urged the state government to incorporate road safety infrastructure, including road signs, markings, streetlights and pedestrian facilities, into new development projects.

She also called for stronger ambulance services, continued support for community-based post-crash volunteers and the establishment of road safety clubs in schools to promote safe practices among young people.

The FRSC sector commander further appealed for government support for the establishment of new FRSC units at Ekwunna and Obowo to expand the corps' operational reach and improve road safety enforcement across the state.