Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited (a Chevron company and operator of the Agbami Field) and its partners in the Agbami Field: Famfa Oil Limited, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Statoil Nigeria Limited, and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited (Petrobras), last week, embarked on a campaign to reduce road accidents involving children in Delta State.

The campaign, held in Warri and organised by the Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative (AARSI), in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Delta State Command, was designed to ensure safety of children on Nigerian roads.

Commending the companies for their commitment to safety of children through the initiative, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Patrick Muobaghare, noted that Chevron had demonstrated its commitment to caring for people around its areas of operations through awareness on the safety of children on the roads. The Commissioner, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of Education, Warri South Local Government Area, Dr Michael Emeshili, stated that the Delta State Government valued children’s welfare, adding that a subject on road safety had been included in schools’ curriculum in Delta State.

Government Relations Representative, Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), West, Mr Muheez Bello, who represented Chevron at the event, noted that child road safety campaign was consistent with Chevron’s tradition of care and commitment to the safety of lives on Nigerian roads. According to him, Chevron and its partners in the Agbami Field place high premium on safety and are committed to protecting lives and the environment. He commended the FRSC and AARSI for their partnership towards implementing the programme.

In his own remarks, the FRSC Commander, Warri Command, Mr Charles Onyeka Nnamani, observed that some parents and guardians often exposed their children to risks, adding that pockets of accidents on the roads were as a result of the children’s unguarded actions on the road.

The FRSC boss commended the campaign which sought to educate kids on the need for them to be safety conscious both in schools and at home. He admonished parents to purchase car boosters for children below 12 years, adding that those above 12 years could make use of car restrains. Nnamani warned parents to stop the habit of putting their children at the front seat because of the high fatality risks in the event of an accident.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, a consultant with the AARSI, Mr Bob Agbo, appreciated the guests and the eight participating schools for attending the event. According to him, the AARS initiative, which kicked off four years ago, has reached more than 90 schools, engaging the kids from these schools in informational research on “safe in-car practices” and “pedestrian practices”.

Other speakers, who commended Chevron and its Agbami partners at the occasion, included Mrs Flora Omolola, Co-ordinator, Virtuous Children Foundation and Mrs. Beauty Okpobia, the Proprietress of Royal Group of Schools.

The programme was formally launched by the Executive Secretary of AARSI, Mr Ike Okonkwo, while gifts were presented to the participating schools.

Highlights of the event were performances by the participating schools in the form of dance, song and drama and lessons on the importance of using seat belts and the dangers inherent in not using it or crossing the road were drawn.

Source: Nigerian Tribune