Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has emphasized that road safety is a collective responsibility shared by all motorists.
The Governor made the remark while inaugurating the 2025 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, quoted Governor Fubara as saying that safety on Nigeria’s roads and waterways must be upheld not only during the “Ember Months” but throughout the year.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Benibo Anabraba, Fubara said:
“The task of keeping our roads—land and sea—safe lies upon the shoulders of every citizen and should be taken very seriously. It is worrisome that the phrase ‘Ember Months’, which mark a season of global celebration, has become associated with avoidable fatalities and tragedies.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing critical transport infrastructure across Rivers State and urged residents to remain safety-conscious in their daily activities.
Earlier, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed explained that the campaign’s theme for 2025 calls on all road users to adopt behaviours that protect lives and reduce crashes. He noted that Rivers State was selected to host the campaign’s launch due to its status as one of Nigeria’s busiest transport hubs.
According to Mohammed, crash statistics recorded between January and September 2025 showed a total of 7,715 road traffic crashes, representing a 10.04% increase compared to 7,011 crashes in 2024. Fatalities also rose by 11.55%, from 3,811 deaths in 2024 to 3,915 in 2025.
He added, however, that Rivers State recorded a 35.7% reduction in fatalities and a 37.5% drop in crash-related injuries during the same period, attributing the improvement to increased enforcement and awareness campaigns.
Mohammed further noted that the FRSC has strengthened personnel deployment and intensified public engagement to ensure safer roads nationwide.
