By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing durable and safer rural transport networks to protect lives, improve mobility and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce across the state.
The State Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Alhaji Abdul Hassan, stated this while declaring open a two-day regional training and road safety campaign for Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states in Bauchi on Monday.
The programme, organised by the Bauchi State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), brought together government officials, transport unions, security agencies and community leaders to strengthen collaboration on rural road safety and transport management.
Hassan said the initiative was aimed at strengthening rural transport management and reducing road traffic accidents, particularly along rural access corridors.
He said the state government recognised the importance of safe and reliable rural roads to local economic development, noting that improved transport networks would enhance agricultural logistics and the livelihoods of rural communities.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, said the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of road users and improve traffic management and road safety standards across the three states.
Represented by the Assistant Infrastructure Officer, Engr. Musa Mohammed Aji, he said the programme was aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders on rural road safety and transport management.
In his welcome address, the director-general of the Bauchi State Rural Access Roads Authority (RARA), Engr. Stephen Abubakar, said a major focus of the workshop was the rollout of a new Draft Road Safety Audit Manual.
He explained that the manual provides a proactive framework for identifying potential road hazards and recommending measures to address them before they result in accidents.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State RAAMP Project Coordinator, Engir. Danladi Mohammed, said the programme would focus on capacity building on the draft road safety manual, road safety education in selected schools along RAAMP corridors, promotion of safe school zones and community awareness.
Mohammed said the awareness campaign would target residents, commercial drivers, motorcycle riders, pedestrians and schoolchildren, with the aim of promoting responsible road use and reducing road traffic accidents.
0 Comments