Ekiti Launches Road Safety Awareness Campaign in Schools Along 12 Completed Rural Roads.

The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has commenced a road safety sensitisation campaign in schools located along 12 recently completed rural roads to educate pupils and other road users on accident prevention and responsible use of public roads.

The campaign, led by the project’s coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, is aimed at promoting road safety awareness among students, motorists, traders and residents of benefiting communities, particularly those living and working around the newly constructed roads.

Speaking during the exercise, Adunmo stressed the importance of educating schoolchildren on basic traffic regulations, road signs and safe road crossing practices. He noted that improved road infrastructure must be accompanied by responsible road use to minimize accidents.

He also urged pupils to remain vigilant when crossing roads and advised them to leave home early to avoid rushing to school and exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.

The sensitisation programme also extended to traders and motorists in Ilupeju Ekiti, where participants were educated on proper traffic directions, particularly at locations with designated entry and exit routes. The measure is expected to reduce traffic conflicts and improve safety, especially during busy market periods.

Adunmo explained that some motorists were unfamiliar with essential road safety facilities, including zebra crossings, making public education necessary to ensure that the newly constructed infrastructure is used appropriately.

The project’s Social Safeguard Officer, Temilola Ajayi, said the campaign was necessary to address potential safety risks associated with increased vehicle movement on the improved roads. She particularly highlighted the vulnerability of schoolchildren who regularly use the routes while travelling to and from school.

Ajayi expressed optimism that public sensitisation, alongside the provision of appropriate road signs and other safety infrastructure, would help prevent avoidable accidents.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ekiti State Sector Command, also participated in the exercise, providing road safety education to students and community members.

The 12 completed roads covered by the campaign include Ikole Isaba Ikoyi Igbemo Road, Ilupeju Egan Ayede Road, Ara Ekameta Road, Ijero Epe Araromi Iropora Road, Owode Anaye Road, Afolu Odofin Road and Ise Imola Road.

Others are Ikogosi-Aba Osun-Aba Oriokuta-Ilawe Road, Erinmope Irare Ikosu Road, Igbole Osi Iropora Road, Ido Ipere Iludun Road and FMS Farm Oke Ako Road.

The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project is supported by the World Bank and the French Development Agency, with the participation of the Ekiti State Government. Its broader objectives include improving rural transportation, strengthening agricultural marketing and connecting farming communities to economic opportunities.

The latest sensitisation campaign highlights the importance of integrating road safety education into rural infrastructure development, ensuring that improved connectivity does not come at the expense of the lives and safety of residents.

As the roads become more accessible to motorists and communities, sustained awareness, responsible driving and compliance with traffic regulations will remain essential to protecting vulnerable road users, particularly schoolchildren.