Chairman,
His Excellency the President of the Republic of
Sierra Leone
Cabinet Ministers here present,
Members of Parliament,
Members of the Diplomatic Core, Members of UN
Agencies here present, Members of the Fourth Estate
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
Let me welcome you to this float Parade to commemorate the 1st United Nations Global Road Safety Week, which started on the 23rd of April, 2007.
In October 2005, the United Nation General Assembly Resolution (A/60/5), invited the UN Regional Commissions and the World Health organization to organize jointly the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week from 23 -29th April 2007, with the theme “Young Road Users.” This First United Nation Global Road Safety Week serves as a platform for national and local activities to raise awareness about road safety issues and to stimulate and advance responses. The theme “Young Road Users” was chosen because these users, including young drivers, constitute a major group at risk of death, injury and disability on the road. According to the Global Burden of Disease report road traffic injuries are among the top five (5) causes of mortality in the 5 – 44 year age group. This should be viewed in light of the fact that approximately 50% of the African population is below the age of 16.
As you are aware, Road Traffic injuries kill and maim million of people annually in Africa including Sierra Leone. They cause enormous suffering and hamper economic development and unless measures are taken, and based on recent trends, the situation is expected to get worse. Yet it has been shown in some countries, with sufficient political will and appropriate action, these deaths and injuries can be prevented. In most countries however, road safety remains very low on the development agenda and additional awareness and commitment are needed. The economic cost of road traffic crashes and injuries to Africa countries has been estimated to approach 2 percent of GNP per annum ($10 billion per year) with a high foreign currency component for importing medicines, hospital, equipment and vehicle spare parts amongst others, this does not include the loss of lives and maiming and impairment of young people who are part of the economic potential force of our country.
During the Global Road Safety Week, a large number of Local National and International events will be hosted all over the world. It is my sincere hope that the commemoration of this week will raise attention to road safety to a higher level in Sierra Leone.
Thank you.
