By Ramatoulie Jawo
Honourable Sulayman Saho the National Assembly member for Central Badibou, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Ministry of Health, and the National Road Authority on Thursday, March 14, 2024, to convene an emergency meeting to address the prevalence of road accidents in the Gambia.
Hon. Saho voiced this plea during today’s session at the National Assembly, highlighting the pressing concern of the growing number of road accidents throughout the country.
“Honourable speaker and the general members, the IGP, Ministry of Health, and National Road Authority must convene an emergency meeting to address this national crisis that is consuming our lives,” he said.
He underscored the recent surge in fatalities and severe injuries resulting from accidents, particularly on major thoroughfares like the Trans-Gambia Highway.
“Honourable speaker, almost a week ago we witnessed two fatal accidents that claimed almost nine lives, serious injuries and trauma. Where does the fault lie, or what are the factors responsible for the high rate of accidents? According to the Health Minister, Samateh, Gambia happens to have a higher rate of deaths due to accidents and injuries than many other countries, even in the developed world,” he told the members.
Hon. Saho referenced statements made by Health Minister Samateh during the validation meeting of the national trauma and injury plan on February 27, 2023, shedding light on the startling statistics surrounding injuries and accidents in the Gambia.
“He went further to highlight that nobody is immune to trauma and injury. He stated some key statistics on injuries and accidents. For a period of five years in 2017, about 5000 trauma cases were reported every year and increased to 9000 in 2021, which is almost twice as much as previous years,” Saho Highlighted.
He expressed concern that everyone could potentially fall victim to road traffic accidents, whether directly or indirectly.
“We lost loved ones and close friends who could be useful to the socio-economic development of our society. We commonly conclude that it is predestination or time for them to leave the world in this painful manner. I disagree to some degree with that phenomenon,” he said.
He emphasized the urgency of action, asserting that they represent the nation’s hope, whether through enforcing stringent resolutions, revising existing legislation, or crafting new policies concerning road accidents.
“The causes of accidents on roads could be attributed to the following: worn-out tires and faulty brakes, overspeeding, Poor road signs, drug and alcohol abused by drivers,
the lackadaisical attitude of some traffic police officers, the list continues,” he said.