By SN24.com 
By. 
Kogi Government says it will establish a Special Task Force Unit involving all stakeholders that will monitor, coordinate and check mate traffic road crashes on the highways.
This was part of the communique signed and released after a stakeholders meeting chaired by Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on road safety matters, Dr Suberu Yusuf-John, at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja on Friday.
The communique expressed worry over the increasing loss of lives of innocent Nigerians on our roads to the recklessness and carelessness of some motorists.
It noted that the establishment of the special task force unit would go a long way at curtailing and reducing the carnages on the highway and keep millions of travellers alive and safe.
“The task force, which will operate with the support of the FRSC, the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and Injury Prevention, and the Kogi State Government, is part of Gov. Ododo’s strategic plan to save lives.
“The purpose of the meeting is to identify the root causes of road accidents and develop sustainable solutions, particularly given Kogi State’s strategic position as a major transit hub.
“More so, road safety is not the responsibility of one agency alone—it is a shared responsibility that requires commitment, discipline, and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
“Together, we can make our roads safer for everyone,” it stated
The communique identified several major causes of road accidents, including: Indiscipline among road users, particularly drivers, careless driving, inadequate road signage, substance abuse among drivers, overloading of vehicles, poor road conditions and employment of untrained drivers.
It added: “To address these challenges, the stakeholders called for untensified public sensitization through radio, television, and other media platforms, rehabilitation and construction of roads, installation of adequate road signs and strict adherence to regulations against overloading.”
The communique said there should be enhanced vehicle inspection processes, promotion of careful and responsible driving, implementation of drug testing for drivers, strengthening enforcement measures, and restricting or banning the movement of heavy-duty trucks during daytime hours, especially during festive periods, to reduce traffic congestion.”
The meeting was attended by representatives of critical agencies and organizations, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 12 Brigade Nigerian Army (Lokoja), Nigeria Police Force, Vehicle Inspection Officers, Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.
Othes present were the NSCDC, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Dangote Transport Group, Driver and Vehicle Testing Service, NURTW, TOAN, RTEAN), Vulcanizers Union, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), health institutions such as Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, and the Traders Union, International Market Lokoja.