MATSAPHA – “We gather here to declare that enough is enough.” These were Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini’s words when launching the 2nd Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) in Matsapha today. The Prime Minister was speaking in reference to how road crashes impede development thus it is important for Eswatini to take action to prevent them.
“In all the areas concerned with road safety; from prevention to salvaging life when a crash has occurred, huge costs are incurred. From road furniture damages, vehicle damages, human injury and suffering, hospital and medical costs, loss of support to families of road death victims, insurance costs; the list is endless,” .
“This day reaffirms our commitment as a Government to protecting the lives of our citizens from road accidents. Let us all consider Road Safety as a shared Responsibility where Government efforts are complemented by the private sector, civil organisations, Non-Government Organisations and every citizen in the fight against this scourge,” continued the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dlamini also noted that Eswatini ratified the African Road Safety Charter whose fundamental aim is to improve road safety. “Through compliance with the Charter, we are set to achieve greater targets from road construction to vehicle safety, to safe road use and post-crash care,” he said.
“It is encouraging that the recently completed MR3 Lot 1 and 2 have accommodated various means for Non-Motorised Transport to use the road and we can only improve from here. Road infrastructure provides immense benefits to easing trade and movement of people. It is important that as we develop, we do not regress by perishing on the roads,” added the Prime Minister.
UN Resident Coordinator George Wachira (who was represented), also praised Eswatini’s efforts in and commitment toward improving road safety.
“Allow me, on behalf of the UN Family, to also congratulate the Kingdom in Ratifying the African Union Road Safety Charter. This step means that the Kingdom has legally accepted the obligation to improve road safety for her citizens. Might I add that this critical step signifies the Kingdom’s commitment not only to a safe Eswatini, but a safer world,” said Wachira.
This Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021- 2030) was declared by the UN General Assembly on 31 August 2020. Its aim is to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during the period. The declaration calls upon Government and her partners to implement an integrated Safe System Approach which includes multimodal transport and land-use planning, safe road infrastructure, safe vehicles, safe road use, and post-crash care.
