In a practical response to the alarming frequency of accidents on the Ring Road, Donga Mantung division witnessed a major road safety initiative recently. The initiative, backed by Mafor Yah Judith Sunday, featured a comprehensive educational talk on Road Safety and Accident Prevention. This was complemented with a special on-the-spot licensing examination for motorbike riders.
The high-impact event, held at the Nkambe Council Multipurpose Hall, saw a remarkable 90% attendance from its target audience. It convened at the personal request of Mafor Yah Judith Sunday Epse Achidi, the Director General of CAMTEL. It was coordinated on the ground by Kuete Edith Ngefor, the Divisional Delegate of Transport for Donga Mantung.
The hall was filled with motorbike riders, transport union leaders, youth representatives, and concerned community members, all united by a common goal to reverse the troubling trend of accidents on the region’s vital yet dangerous economic route.
The educative session served as a crucial workshop, moving beyond theory to address local realities. Trainers drilled participants on essential safety practices: the non-negotiable importance of wearing helmets and other protective gear, strict adherence to speed limits, and the grave dangers of overloading and reckless overtaking on the Ring Road’s sharp bends.
A cornerstone of the initiative was the special examination for the Category ‘A’ Driving License. This session provided an unprecedented opportunity for dozens of motorbike riders, many of whom have operated for years without formal certification, to regularise their status. Transport officials emphasised that a license ensures riders have undergone minimum standard training, which is fundamental to safeguarding themselves and their passengers.
In an address, Mafor Yah Judith Sunday Epse Achidi underscored the need to incorporate social responsibility, highlighting the importance of community well-being.
Participants welcomed the initiative, with many riders expressing relief at the chance to obtain their licenses without the usual logistical and financial hurdles.
The event concluded with a strong consensus for sustainability. Organisers and community leaders alike expressed hope that this model of combining immediate, practical solutions with vital education would be replicated across the Northwest Region, paving the way for a new era of safety on the Ring Road.
By Andrew Nsoseka
