Yemisi Izuora/Hyacinth Chinweuba
Guinness Nigeria Plc, has begun a road safety campaign in partnership with the Federal Roads Safety Commission, FRSC, to flag off the 2016 Ember Months ‘Drink Drive’ public
awareness campaign.
The campaign aims at enlightening the public on the harmful consequences of alcohol abuse.
Speaking at the flag-off of the campaign at the Ketu Motor Park in Lagos, Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa said
the partnership has lasted over a decade, which has also blossomed into an impactful platform, making it possible for both parties to jointly deliver ember months campaigns that annually reach millions
of Nigerians.
“Through our ember months campaigns, we aim to play a part in helping consumers make the right choices. The message we deliver to consumers through our annual campaigns is consistent with our values at Guinness Nigeria.
Consumers are at the heart of everything we do as an organisation and are the
basis for our success. We are therefore genuinely concerned when we see consumers put themselves at risk through practices like drink driving.
The timing of this campaign takes into cognisance the high frequency of vehicular
movement during ember months, particularly during the Christmas season.
Historically, the occurrence of road accidents also increases during ember months. This campaign therefore aims to help prevent alcohol-related accidents this season,” Ndegwa said.
Ndegwa also commended the FRSC for their role in helping to reduce accidents on the highways.
“I would like to specially thank the FRSC for their partnership through the years and
for the good work they do every day to ensure the safety of road users in Nigeria.
As a company, we are proud of the impact we will be able to make through our partnership with the FRSC and other stakeholders this season.
I’m positive that our collective actions will help promote the culture of responsible drinking and ensure the safety of Nigerians traveling to various
destinations,” he said.
“Whatever you do this season, please do NOT drink and drive.
When you go out in a group to have fun, designate someone to drive and that person should not drink. If you are going out alone, arrange for taxi to take
you home after you have had some drink.
I urge everyone to drink responsibly and also act as ambassadors of responsible drinking during this season and beyond,” Ndegwa pleaded.
On his part, Corps Commander, Lagos Sector Commander of the
Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Hyginus Omeje commended Guinness Nigeria
Plc for sustaining this giant stride for the past nine years, while taking into cognizance the fact that road safety is a shared responsibility.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s campaign, “Crash the
crash: Speed kills”, Omeje noted that driving under the influence of alcohol was an underlying factor in some of the road traffic crashes recorded.
He explained that the breathalyzers Guinness Nigeria donated to the FRSC last year
have helped them carry out extensive sobriety tests by randomly breathalyzing
drivers within the state.
“As we officially flag off this year’s ember months road
safety responsible drinking campaign, I charge everyone to re-direct their minds
toward good road use by obeying all rules and regulations.
It is our collective responsibility to eradicate or reduce the ever increasing volume of road
crashes on our roads,” he said.