Le International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) et le Organisation Ouest Africaine de la Sécurité Routière (OOASR) 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 Dix étapes vers 2030 pour un événement sur l'infrastructure routière plus sûre, un événement parallèle de 4ème Conférence ministérielle mondiale sur la sécurité routière en cours au Maroc cette semaine.
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.
Les principales activités comprennent le renforcement des capacités des professionnels de la sécurité routière, la réalisation d'évaluations iRAP sur les autoroutes critiques, l'élaboration de plans d'investissement pour des routes plus sûres afin de prioriser les investissements pour moderniser les zones à haut risque, la création de plans d'action annuels et de stratégies de communication, ainsi que le partage des connaissances, des technologies et des données pour améliorer la sécurité routière.
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.”
Selon iRAP Safety Insights Explorer, 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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Demandes des médias :
Pour iRAP :
Judy Williams, Chef du programme mondial et de la communication
Courriel : judy.williams@irap.org
Portable : +61 400 782 204
For WARSO:
Lateef Ramoni, Secretary
Courriel : lateefolawe@gmail.com
Tel: +234 80 67 64 33 44