Shell flags off safe-route-to-school project in Bayelsa

 Shell flags off safe-route-to-school project in Bayelsa

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Wednesday kicked off a safe-route-to-school project for primary school pupils in Bayelsa.

At the inauguration of the project in Bayelsa, Mr Alaye Dokubo, Government and Community Relations Manager, SPDC, in Charge of Bayelsa and Delta Operational Areas, said that safety was fundament in the oil firm’s operations.

He said that the company was committed to ensuring that pupils would receive education in a safe environment.

Dokubo said that the company, in collaboration with the Bayelsa Ministry of Education and the Federal Road Safety Commission, selected six primary schools for the project.

The SPDC official said that the company would provide zebra crossings near the selected schools within high traffic routes, train of teachers to serve as guides, and train pupils on road safety habits.

Mr Nduka Ejoor, the Consultant to SPDC on the project, said that 90 per cent of Nigerian children walked to school and were at risk due to high population of untrained drivers on Nigerian roads.

In his remarks, Mr Ayuba Wobin, the FRSC Bayelsa Sector Commander, commended SPDC for the initiative to instill road safety habits in children.

According to him, the FRSC has developed a road safety curriculum, which is being used by Road Safety Clubs in schools.

He said that the command would work with heads of the six selected schools to inaugurate the clubs.

Mr Markson Fefegha, Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, said that crossing roads was a challenge to both children and adults, and lauded SPDC for reviving the use of zebra crossings.

Fefegha, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Ann Amosame, said that safe trip to school was achievable with the efforts of the project partners.

Hundreds of primary school pupils from the six selected schools witnessed the launch of the project.

Master Paul Nelson, a pupil of St Mathias Primary School, Amarata, said that provision of zebra crossings on roads would reduce accidents.

He regretted that some pupils had been knocked down by reckless drivers.

Nelson said that the road safety tips given to pupils at the launch would remain valuable, as he would pass them on to his friends not selected.