The Delta Government has begun the training of personnel ahead of its road traffic survey in five major cities across the State.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day training for statisticians under his ministry on Thursday in Asaba.
Ekedayen said that the survey which is aimed at making informed decisions, allocation of resources effectively as well as keeping the roads safe for all, would be conducted in Asaba, Agbor, Sapele, Ughelli and Warri.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Budget in the ministry, Mr Thomson Olije, urged the statisticians to ensure accurate data during the exercise.
”As the Commissioner for Economic Planning, I believe it is crucial to emphasize the importance of this survey in shaping our State’s economic development, infrastructure planning and overall quality of life.
”The results of this road traffic survey will guide us in making evidence-based decisions that will enhance our economic competitiveness and quality of life of everyone who calls this state home.
”Our roads are the lifelines of our communities, connecting us to our workplaces, schools and loved ones. And to ensure their safety and efficiency, we must gather accurate data,” he said.
Ekedayen recalled that the first edition of the road traffic survey was held in 2005, adding that it has become a cherished tradition.
According to him, “as you may recall, following the survey conducted during the inaugural edition, roads were constructed in the State, underscoring how significant accurate data can be in informing decisions about infrastructure development.
The commissioner also said, “the road traffic survey is not just a collection of numbers, it is a snapshot of challenges we face and the opportunities for improvement.
”It will help us identify congestion hotspots safety concerns, and the impact of emerging technologies.”
In her remarks, the Director of Statistics, Ms Nkechi Maduemezie, said that the objectives of the survey include reducing the number of vehicles that ply on the state’s roads on a daily basis in order to reduce traffic congestion as well as aid security.
She also said that the outcome of the survey would be analysed and produced in a report.
”It is hoped that the report will aid the present administration of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to achieve it’s ”MORE agenda.”
Meanwhile, some of the participants who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended the initiative.
Mr Aghwate Otejiri, a personnel from the Sapele zone, said,’ “this is a very good initiative and I must commend the State Government.”