Tanzania project scoops Prince Michael International Award in London
LONDON, UK: Ten Step Tanzania Project, which has built sustainable institutional capacity, impact, and partnerships to eliminate high-risk roads in the country has been honoured with a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in London.
Jointly funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UKAid), through the Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF) of the World Bank, the 30-month pilot project aimed to curb the more than 16,000 people (estimated) who die on Tanzania’s roads each year.
Under the guidance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the project was implemented by a consortium led by the International Road Federation (IRF) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and made up of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the World Road Association (PIARC) and the Tanzania Roads Association (TARA).
It brought together the Government of Tanzania through then Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), Roads Fund Board, National Institute of Transport (NIT), as well as other leading institutions, road safety NGOs and industry stakeholders.
The project led to the shaping of a National Training, Accreditation and Certification Scheme to build local capacity for the assessment, audit and design of safer roads.
Over 500 road safety stakeholders were trained in how to make Tanzania’s roads safer, and the number of certified Road Safety Auditors and iRAP Accredited practitioners was rapidly expanded.
Subsequently, Tanzania has now been ranked second in the world in terms of iRAP Accreditation, thanks to the initiative.
Among key milestones delivered by the project were recommendations for a National Road Infrastructure Safety Strategy and Action Plan, and for the revision of the Tanzania Road Geometric Design Manual, prioritising the safety of all road users.
TanRAP, a locally owned and led Road Assessment Programme for Tanzania, was also launched led by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT).
Speaking at the event, Tanzania High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mbelwa Kairuki noted that ‘The Ten Step’ project strengthens our commitment to addressing the pressing issue of road crashes which in 2022 accounted for 6.12 percent of total deaths in Tanzania.
“This international recognition acknowledges our collective dedication to making roads safer for everyone and we accept it with great honour and gratitude,” the diplomat said.
On his part, Chief of the Energy, Infrastructure and Services Section of the Private Sector Development and Finance Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Robert Lisinge said the collaborative effort exemplifies the impact of collective action on road safety.
“UNECA is proud to have participated in this transformative initiative, setting a valuable precedent for global endeavours. The project aligns with our commitment to sustainable development and underscores the importance of investing in road safety to save lives and build resilient communities,” Lisinge said.
Judges at the gala expressed that they were impressed by the comprehensive nature of the plan and the involvement of so many organisations in its delivery.
According to the judges, it was without doubt the Tanzania’s project has set an example which should be replicated in other regions.
Anouar Benazzouz, President of the International Road Federation (IRF) said Tanzania made history as the first country in the world to implement the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Ten Step Approach.
“We take immense pride in the project’s achievements and applaud the determination and enthusiasm of the Tanzanian authorities and stakeholders who embraced this opportunity to make Tanzania’s roads safer, the IFR President was quoted at the event.
CREDIT: International Road Federation.
