The Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa has raised the alarm over what it described as the disturbing rise in fatal road accidents caused by reckless truck driving across Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Public Relations Officer of the Pan-African organisation, Onyeka Ike, Esq., expressed deep concern over the increasing loss of lives on African roads.
He said the recurring tragedies have not only claimed countless lives but also brought untold grief to families while eroding public confidence in the road transport system.
“Every life lost is not a mere statistic, but a father, mother, child or sibling whose dreams have been cruelly cut short due to negligence and disregard for safety regulations,” Ike said.
According to him, the crisis was not solely the fault of drivers, but also of truck owners and companies that put unfit vehicles on the road without adequate oversight.
“Many of these trucks are poorly maintained, overloaded or entrusted to untrained and overworked drivers. This culture of systemic negligence continues to place innocent commuters at grave risk,” he noted.
The Movement, therefore, called on truck companies and fleet operators to enforce strict compliance with roadworthiness and safety standards; conduct regular training for drivers on safety practices and respect for human life; establish monitoring systems to check reckless driving and ensure accountability; adopt global best practices in fleet management to prevent avoidable breakdowns and accidents.
The NBM also urged government agencies and regulatory authorities to strengthen enforcement of laws governing heavy-duty vehicles, stressing that such weak regulation only emboldens violators.
Robust collaboration between government, transport unions, civil society and the private sector is urgently needed to curb this menace, the statement said.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, human dignity and African brotherhood, the Pan-African organisation, which recently held its convention in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, pledged solidarity with victims and their families, while demanding reforms to ensure safer roads.
He added, “The culture of impunity must end. Truck owners and drivers must understand that human life is sacred and cannot be sacrificed on the altar of profit or negligence.
“Together, we must build a society where safety and dignity are guaranteed, and where our roads serve as pathways to progress, not corridors of death.”
