10 Dec 2013

Different stakeholders have been challenged to commit themselves towards investing in road safety as well as utilising the Decade of Action for Road Safety framework which aims to bring down the ever-escalating road deaths to acceptable levels.

The Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the government is highly committed to the Decade of Action and the adoption of the national road safety strategy. provides evidence in abundance. Speaking during the stakeholder dinner organised by Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), Minister Molefhi said the nation should find refuge in the World Bank statement which estimates that by 2020, more than 2,5 million lives could be saved, 37,5 million injuries avoided, if fatalities per vehicle rates were further reduced by 30 per cent.

Mr Molefhi noted that to achieve the demands, there was a need to work closely towards the same goals and objectives.

“I am humbled by the fact that key stakeholders in road safety have found comfort even coming closer to each other by sharing strategies designed to combat crashes and their resultant casualties,” he said.

He said as they implement the National Road safety Strategy, it was wise to ask themselves if they are in the right track, as the aim is to produce positive results adding that they have achieved some notable progress between 2001 and 2012.

The minister encouraged stakeholders to work even harder as they get closer to the middle of the Decade. On average, he said, 484 people were killed yearly and by 2010, they recorded below average which meant that on the whole, a reduction of 11.4 per cent people killed per 10 000 vehicles was realised.

Furthermore, he said, fatalities per 100 000 population went down by 3.5 per cent. “ It is crystal clear that with traffic safety players in Botswana rallying behind the strategy there is no shared doubt that inroads could be made on the current traffic safety problems”, he added.

Minister Molefhi commended MVA for involving a decision to collaborate with its key partners in its quest to rid the society of the repercussions of road crashes and wished their effort could be emulated by all in national service. He said the Fund’s mandate dictates that it should work closely with all stakeholders in order to achieve desired results.

Partnerships assist a great deal in the improvement of road traffic safety landscape that stakeholders were also able to pool together the already meager resources for the benefit of the people, he added.

For his part, MVA chief executive officer, Mr Cross Kgosidiile said it has now become customary that every year end they come together with their stakeholders to discuss issues of common concern, network, reflect, introspect and celebrate achievements. He said they have learnt over the years that collaborating with stakeholders on strategic issues was crucial in the achievement of their mandate.

Mr Kgosidiile announced that they have made mutually beneficial collaborations with some of the key partners and their agreements facilitated smooth interaction as they assist them to deliver quality service to customers. He said they were also negotiating with the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association with a view to formalise their relationships especially on issues of drink driving education.

“These partnerships are critical as they assist us to reach out to most of target groups and to give the best chance to normal life to those involved in road crashes”, he added.

Mr Kgosidiile observed that the need to collaborate towards a road crash free nation was a compelling one and could not be overemphasised. He thanked the minister and the MVA Fund Board of Directors for their unwavering support as they expand their effort in defining the challenging universe of road safety. ENDS