Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has highlighted that road safety is a collective responsibility shared by all motorists.
The Governor made this remark while inaugurating the Ember Months Road Safety Campaign organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, during a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt.
A statement by Juliana Masi, Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, said Governor Fubara stressed the importance of maintaining road safety, whether by land or sea, not only during the “Ember Months” but throughout the year.
Represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Benibo Anabraba, the Governor urged motorists to always drive responsibly and with consideration for others on the road.
He said, “The task of keeping our roads (Land and Sea) safe, not only in the ‘Ember- Months’, but in our daily lives, lies upon the shoulders of every citizen, and should be taken very seriously.
“It is worrisome that the phrase ‘Ember-Month’ that marks a season that is globally recognized for the celebration and heralding the birth of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, is now a season contemporaneous with fatalities and tragedies that are otherwise avoidable, thereby demanding a special focus and expenditure of time and resources by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Government and its Ministries, Department and Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations.”
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to developing critical infrastructure across the state and encouraged residents to remain conscious of safety in their everyday activities.
Earlier, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed explained that the 2025 campaign theme urges all road users to adopt behaviours that safeguard lives. He noted that Rivers State was deliberately chosen for this year’s launch due to its status as one of Nigeria’s busiest transport hubs.
Mohammed revealed, “Crash statistics recorded between January and September 2025 nationwide showed a total of 7,715 road traffic crashes, representing a 10.04 percent rise compared to 7,011 crashes which occurred within the same period in 2024.
“Also, 3,915 persons were killed in 2025 as against 3,811 that were killed in 2024, indicating an increase by 11.55%.
“In Rivers State, within the same period, 15 persons were killed and 51 persons injured out of 47 reported cases of road crash.
“When compared to 2024 record, these figures represent a 35.7% decrease in fatalities and 37.5% decrease in road crash-related injuries.”
The Corps Marshal added that the FRSC has strengthened its personnel deployment and intensified public engagement initiatives to ensure efficient service delivery nationwide.
