El Programa Internacional de Evaluación de Carreteras (iRAP) y el Organización de Seguridad Vial de África Occidental (OSVAO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Marrakech aimed at advancing road infrastructure safety across West Africa.
The MOU was signed by iRAP Acting CEO Greg Smith and Lateef Ramoni, Secretary of WARSO, during the Diez Pasos hacia 2030 para una Infraestructura Vial más Segura Evento, un Evento Paralelo de la 4ª Conferencia Ministerial Mundial sobre Seguridad Vial en marcha en Marruecos esta semana.
It is estimated that road crashes claim nearly 85,000 lives each year in WARSO countries and over 1.2 million more injuries, at a cost of USD$36.9 billion to the regional economy.
The strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the collaborative effort to reduce road fatalities and enhance road infrastructure safety standards in the region, particularly in member states of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.
The MOU between iRAP and WARSO establishes a framework for collaboration to enhance road safety across WARSO member countries by promoting best practices and evidence-based solutions to eliminate high-risk roads and reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
Las actividades clave incluyen el desarrollo de capacidades de los profesionales de la seguridad vial, la realización de evaluaciones iRAP en carreteras críticas, el desarrollo de Planes de Inversión en Carreteras Más Seguras para la inversión priorizada con el fin de mejorar las ubicaciones de alto riesgo, la creación de planes de acción anuales y estrategias de comunicación, y el intercambio de conocimientos, tecnología y datos para mejorar la seguridad vial.
The agreement activities will support the achievement of UN Targets 3 and 4 in WARSO member countries, including ensuring all new roads are built to a 3-star or better standard for all road users, and more than 75% of travel is on the equivalent of 3-star or better roads for all road users by 2030.
Greg Smith, iRAP’s Global Program Director and Acting CEO said, “iRAP is thrilled to partner with WARSO to tackle the growing challenge of road safety in West Africa. This collaboration brings together our global expertise in road safety assessments with WARSO’s deep regional knowledge and commitment to improving road safety in member countries. By combining our efforts, we are confident that we can make a real difference in reducing fatalities and improving the safety of roads for all road users.”
Lateef Ramoni, Secretary of WARSO said, “WARSO’s partnership with iRAP represents an important step forward in our mission to reduce road deaths and injuries across West Africa. This MOU will enable us to bring international safety standards and solutions to our region, helping to protect millions of lives. Together, we will work towards safer, more sustainable roads for all.”
Según Explorador de Conocimientos de Seguridad de iRAP, the achievement of UN Target 4 for the equivalent of 75 per cent of travel to be on 3-star or better roads for all road users in WARSO member countries by 2030 stands to save an estimated 30,947 lives and nearly 10 million deaths and serious injuries over the life of road treatments, with an annual economic benefit of $12.9 billion to the region’s economy – a benefit of $14.90 for every $1 spent.
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Consultas de los medios:
Para iRAP:
Judy Williams, Gerente Global de Programas y Comunicaciones
Correo electrónico: judy.williams@irap.org
Móvil: +61 400 782 204
For WARSO:
Lateef Ramoni, Secretary
Correo electrónico: lateefolawe@gmail.com
Tel: +234 80 67 64 33 44