Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday, flagged off the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) “Ember Months Road Safety Campaign.”
He emphasised that road safety is a collective responsibility that must be maintained year-round.
The Secretary to the State Government, D Benibo Anabraba, spoke on behalf of Governor Fubara at a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the duty of securing all transport routes, both land and sea, lies on the shoulders of every citizen.
The governor expressed concern that the “Ember-Months”, typically associated with celebration, have become tragically linked with avoidable fatalities.
“It is worrisome that the phrase ‘Ember-Month’ is now a season contemporaneous with fatalities and tragedies that are otherwise avoidable,” the governor stated, explaining why the period requires special focus and resources from government agencies and the FRSC.
The governor highlighted that the town hall meeting and safety campaigns are vital in preventing injuries, promoting a culture of safety, and driving behavioural change among road users.
This year’s campaign theme, “Take Responsibility For Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” was described by Fubara as a clarion call for all users to prioritise safety and the preservation of lives and property.
Given the state’s riverine nature, the governor stressed the need to extend the campaign’s focus to maritime transport.
He emphasised that users of canoes, boats, and speed boats for both intra- and inter-state movement must also be regarded as “road users.”
He urged boat drivers’ unions, transporters, and community leaders to join the government in educating maritime road users on the hazards of: drunk-driving, over-speeding and overtaking, overloading and non-usage of life jackets
Fubara reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing critical infrastructure and continuing to invest manpower and resources in securing waterways, particularly in combating piracy, and pledged sustained partnership and support for the FRSC and other transport stakeholders.
In his address, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, justified the decision to launch the campaign in the state, recognising it as one of Nigeria’s busiest transportation hubs.
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The Corps Marshal disclosed worrying national statistics for road crashes, comparing figures from 2024 and 2025.
“Crash statistics recorded between January and September 2025 nationwide showed a total of 7,715 road traffic crashes, representing a 10.04 per cent rise compared to 7,011 crashes which occurred within the same period in 2024.”
However, he noted a positive trend in Rivers State during the same period, reporting a 35.7% decrease in fatalities (15 persons killed) and a 37.5% decrease in road crash-related injuries (51 persons injured) out of 47 reported cases.
He assured that the FRSC has mobilised its workforce and public engagement initiatives to ensure effective service delivery throughout the Ember Months.
