ECOWAS seeks harmonisation of highway design codes

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stressed the need for harmonisation of the highway design codes in the region.

Commissioner in Charge of Infrastructure at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Pathe Gueye who spoke at the validation workshop for the draft road safety policy for the ECOWAS region described road safety as an important element for security in West Africa and the World at large.

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Gueye acknowledged the hazards of road transport amongst the different means of transportation, saying, road accident is one of the major causes of death, injury and disability not only in the ECOWAS region but also in the world.

While he advocated for an effective and efficient road transport system in the region, he stressed the need for stakeholders to come together to curb excessive road accidents.

The overall objective of the project, he said, is to improve the sustainability and security of the regional road transport system, which according to him will be a factor of inclusive development in terms of gender equality, stability, and regional integration.

He added that the project will increase the freedom of movement of goods and persons, reduce the costs of interstate road transport by improving the governance of road maintenance.