By Nwagboniwe Emmanuel
Ahead of the Yudetide season,the Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have cautioned against drunk driving in the country.
The call was made yesterday in Lagos during the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG)of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria For the Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign.
Speaking during the campaign, Hans Essaadi, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc & Chairman, BSG ,said :”It is both an honour and a privilege to address you today as we unite for a cause that transcends industries and touches the very fabric of our society—promoting responsible drinking, enhancing road safety, and preventing drunk driving.
He added that the BSG as a subsector of the Food & Beverages Sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, representing Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and International Breweries Plc, has always been committed to meaningful social responsibility initiatives. Among these, our Don’t Drink and Drive campaign stands out as a key focus area.
” Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to promoting responsible drinking and increasing awareness of the dangers of drunk driving.”
The BSG boss also lamented that yearly,
many lives are tragically lost due to accidents caused by impaired driving entirely preventable losses.
He added:”This campaign focuses on three key pillars: Education, Enforcement, and the Encouragement of responsible behaviour.
He further explained that driving under the influence of alcohol can cause road accidents and fatalities, stressing that as manufacturers of alcoholic beverages, we recognize the critical role we play in advocating for the responsible consumption of our products.
“Our message is simple yet essential: “If you drink, don’t drive.”
We believe celebrations and enjoyment should never come at the cost of lives. We urge all Nigerians to make responsible choices, such as appointing designated drivers or utilizing ride-hailing services and taxis after consuming alcohol,” he added.
He commended it’s
collaboration with the FRSC , echoing that the initiative had be central in sustaining the campaign.
” Together, we have taken proactive steps, including donating breathalyzers to support enforcement efforts, and ensuring that drivers on our roads are sober and fit to drive. This partnership exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration to create meaningful social impact.
In the same vein, the FRSC Lagos State Commander Kehinde G. Hamzat, stated that if they are telling the people not to drink and drive it means they value your life and they don’t want you to die. He said that part of FRSC’s responsibility is to make sure the driver is not drinking or under any alcoholic influence while driving.
He said that passengers should always speak up against dangerous driving because dangerous driving kills passengers a lot. A scene where a drunk driver is driving a passenger bus and is involved in a deadly accident and kills all of them, causing the driver to use his drunkenness to take the lives of all his passengers. That is the reason why the FRSC has been working hard to stop the habit of drink and driving.
He stated that a professional driver uses his professionalism to drive and doesn’t drink because drinking while driving can put your life in danger. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE because your family loves you.
The Lagos State Chapter Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),Alhaji Tajudeen Badiru Agbede,explained
that the union always caution their drivers not to drink while driving,
adding; “it is also stated in all their parks, that’s why they have people they call marshals who are in charge of vehicle movement to check if the vehicle is okay to drive or if the driver is not drunk before driving.
He called on governments at all levels, stakeholders and the transport sectors to unite and halt drunk driving .
Meanwhile,the sensitisation campaign continues today at Ojodu, Ojota, and Oshodi in Lagos.
