Authorities at the Ministry of Transport (MoT) with funding from the National Road Fund (NRF), have officially launched series of electronic Road Safety Billboards in Monrovia and its environs.
The total of 12 billboards were erected across the country, with six in Monrovia and its environs, while six others are sparsely decentralized.
At the launch over the weekend in Monrovia, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevquoah, commended the NRF leadership, the ministries of Justice, Transport, and partners for their collaborative efforts to ensure that the issue of road safety is adequately addressed to avoid road accident.
Stevquoah said, government’s responsibility to ensure that commuters enjoy the safer benefits.
Many of the road users are the pedestrians, drivers, marketers, and those walking up the streets.
He then encouraged all to take advantage of the safety messages placed on the electronic billboards, so as to embrace a safer measure in their daily routines on the roads.
“When we keep our roads safe, we are safeguarding our own lives and the lives of other people from harm way. And if self-preservation is indeed our instinct, then safety, as the President has said, should be first, second, last and always.”
Transport Minister Sirleaf R. Tyler, said the initiative, funded by the NRF Secretariat, aims to reduce road accidents, and raise public awareness about traffic related issues.
Tyler described the event as a major step to ensure that safety on major roads are curtailed.
He cited statistics from global research institution where Liberia continued to record a very high number of road fatalities; something he said, the new measure will greatly address.
“As a responsible government, it is the duty of said administration to create a safe environment for all road users.”
The launch of the Electronic Billboards marks a new beginning in the road safety campaign that aims to save lives, and promotes responsible driving behavior.
NRF Manager Joseta N. Wento: “The Billboards erection is part of government’s effort to improve safety, and reduce growing number of road accidents.