Picture: Amb. Fidelis Nnadi
Edited by Blue Economy Magazine
…Executive Director, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, Speaks on Journey, Achievements and the Road Ahead
Abuja, Nigeria – The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), a leading Non-Governmental Organization in road safety advocacy, recently marked its 20th anniversary.
In an exclusive interview with select journalists, the Executive Director of APRI, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, reflected on the organization’s journey, vision, and mission. Excerpts:
What were the aims and objectives of APRI’s founding fathers?
The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI) was established in September 2006 as a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to road safety education, emergency response, road safety policy advocacy, and the promotion of best practices in Motor Vehicle Administration across Nigeria.
Our core objectives are to ensure safer roads, a structured Motor Vehicle Administration system, and improved traffic management in Nigeria. These goals cannot be achieved without strong partnerships and collaboration with government agencies and key stakeholders.
How would you describe APRI’s collaborative efforts over the past 20 years?
Since inception, APRI has positioned itself as a strategic partner to government and stakeholders in efforts to reduce road crashes, promote compliance, and professionalize road transport and traffic enforcement operations across States and the FCT.
What are some of APRI’s pioneering milestones and key achievements?
APRI made history as the first road safety-focused NGO in Nigeria to organize an international conference on Motor Vehicle Administration. The landmark 3-day conference held from July 1–3, 2010 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, and co-sponsored by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), exposed the untapped safety and revenue potential in Motor Vehicle Administration.
The conference brought together State Commissioners for Transport, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), VIOs, transport union leaders, and international experts to chart a new course. It led to the adoption of Motor Vehicle Administration practices modeled after those in the USA and other developed countries.
How has APRI bridged the gap between policy and implementation in road safety?
In recognition of our technical capacity and grassroots reach, APRI became the first road safety-focused NGO to be appointed as consultants for the implementation of the Special Trade License Regulation in several States.
This regulation is designed to formalize the informal sector, particularly operators in Motor Vehicle-related activities. It complements security and safety efforts by enabling the profiling of operators and generating revenue from the sector.
The Special Trade License is now being enforced in many States, including the FCT, Abuja, which served as the pilot territory. Through this role, APRI led stakeholder engagements, public sensitization, training of enforcement officers, and compliance monitoring to ensure the regulation achieves its objectives of safety, security, and roadworthiness.
Since 2006, our work has gone beyond advocacy. We have been directly involved in policy implementation support, public enlightenment, complementing rescue operations for road crash victims, and capacity building for transport unions and VIO/road traffic officers.
Our goal is simple: to complement the efforts of FRSC and VIOs in saving lives, reducing road crashes, and ensuring Nigeria’s road transport system is safe, organized, and dignified.
From the 2010 International Conference to our current consultancy roles, we remain committed to partnering with government at all levels to achieve the vision of zero crashes on Nigerian roads.
Can you highlight APRI’s activities in Abia State and the FCT?
In Abia State:
APRI engaged the State Ministry of Transport on best practices in Motor Vehicle Administration. We partnered with the Abia State Government, FRSC, and transport unions to conduct public enlightenment campaigns for tricycle riders, motorcyclists, drivers, and vehicle dealers on traffic rules, accident prevention, and the dangers of rickety vehicles.
We also sensitized motor dealers in Aba and Umuahia on documentation, security profiling, and compliance to curb “one chance” robberies and vehicle theft. Road safety rallies and first aid training were conducted for commercial drivers, and we made presentations on harmonizing union levies and eliminating multiple taxation.
In the FCT:
Beyond hosting the 2010 international conference, APRI was appointed consultant for the implementation of the Special Trade License Regulation. Our roles included stakeholder engagements with motor dealers in Apo, Katampe, and Kubwa, validation meetings, and training enforcement taskforces.
We also conducted highway patrols, accident response, and public sensitization during “ember months” along the Abuja–Keffi and Abuja–Lokoja routes.
APRI deployed ambulance rescue services in support of the FRSC ambulance pool at Kugbo on the Abuja–Keffi Expressway. In 2011, following a crash that claimed over 20 lives, APRI led protests that resulted in a ministerial restriction on tankers and articulated vehicles during peak hours.
What is your advice to Nigerians?
My advice is simple: be road safety conscious. The lives of road users matter.
What are APRI’s appeals to partners and Nigerians?
We appeal to national and international organizations, as well as well-meaning Nigerians passionate about saving lives, to donate ambulances to APRI. This will enable us to join hands with the FRSC in rescuing victims of road crashes.
