The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU with the Beer sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to assist in the campaign against drunk driving.
At the signing of the MOU, the FRSC corps marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi said the involvement of the private sector is key to achieving success in reducing to the barest road crashes associated with drunk driving.
According to him, the corps was elated at the commitment of the BSG in resuming the Drive Alcohol free campaign in the month of June this year.
He emphasized that the corps was committed to improving road safety and the driving culture in the country.
The corps marshal said many drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol that is why the government has directed that drivers to government officials and new entrants undergo drug and alcohol testing.
” that is why, the security adviser to the government has directed that all security personnel and new ones most undergo drug testing, even by driver and orderly must also undergo this test, this is the serious government is paying to this ensure in promoting safety on the road”.
“We will continue to partner with all stakeholders as part of our commitment to improve road safety and the driving culture in the country. I am pleased that the BSG has also committed to resuming the Drive Alcohol Free (DAF) campaign in June 2017 in partnership with us. FRSC will recommend routes and locations while the BSG would provide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the Corps Information and Education Unit. My hope is that this occasion would lead to increased involvement of the private sector in ensuring that our roads become safer.”
He urged the BSG to include children in their enlightenment campaign to instill in them the evils of drug driving and alcohol and the need to obey traffic laws.
Earlier, Chairman of the beer sectoral group of MAN, Mr. Nico Vervelde said they were happy to partner the FRSC to keep the roads safe for both motorists and passengers.
He stressed that the collaboration would go a long way to promoting adherence to the regulations of the road.
“we are happy to sign this MoU with the FRSC which complements all the responsible communication initiatives and ongoing partnerships of our individual member companies. This MoU is an opportunity to expand our work with the FRSC especially in the area of research and to support their enforcement of drink driving laws as a part of our ongoing engagement with other ministries, departments and agencies across Nigeria’.
The BSG is an umbrella body for leading brewing companies in Nigeria who are members of the Manufactures Association of Nigeria. Members of the BSG include Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, International Breweries Limited, Pabod Breweries Limited, Intafact Beverages Limited, etc covering over 16 breweries around the country and supporting nearly one million jobs around the country.
The MoU is aimed at improving safety on Nigerian roads by understanding and reducing harm associated with drinking and driving in Nigeria. As part of the MoU, the BSG will sponsor research studies and surveys to upgrade Nigeria’s database on the subject, supply breath testing equipment to the FRSC and facilitate traffic enforcement training for officials of the FRSC.
