LAUNCH OF CHILD ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME IN AT KASAMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, MATERO, LUSAKA THURSDAY, 11TH JUNE 2020

• HONORABLE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS – HON. KATOTWE MUFWAYA, MP
• THE MAYOR OF LUSAKA – HIS WORSHIP MILES SAMPA
• CEO/DIRECTOR – ROAD TRANSPORT & SAFETY AGENCY;
• SECRETARY – DEBS LUSAKA;
• DIRECTOR – ZAMBIA ROAD SAFETY TRUST
• SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS;
• KASAMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADMASTER & DEPUTY;
• KASAMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS & PARENTS;
• PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA MANAGEMENT PRESENT HERE;
• MEMBERS OF THE PRESS;
• DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS;
• LADIES AND GENTLEMEN;
Honorable Minister let me thank you for attending this launch of the Child Road Safety Infrastructure at Kasamba primary school here in Matero despite your busy schedule.
Your presence is most appreciated and demonstrates government’s commitment to making the roads in Zambia, safe for all road users.
On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Puma Energy Zambia, I am pleased for the continued support that our company has rendered to support Road Safety efforts by working with the Zambia Road Safety Trust to improve road safety in Zambia.
Guest of Honour
Road safety forms part of what we stand for and believe in and is very much in line with our Safety Policy, which states that, “we are fully committed to Loss Prevention Strategies with a guiding principle of not compromising the Health & Safety of our employees, contractors, visitors, customers and neighbouring communities to ensuring safe sustainable business growth”.
As Puma Energy Zambia, we believe that we “fuel your journeys’ through the fuel and lubricants that we sell to you and our desire is that as you undertake those journeys, they be done safely. We desire that people leave their homes to go to work, businesses or schools etc. they should come back to their families safe.
Guest of Honour
We have partnered with the Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) for number of years now who has come up with good programs that we have helped to sponsor such as conducting road safety education campaigns in primary schools, radio programs featuring road safety issues, provision of safety materials and supporting infrastructure projects related to safety.
We have had great testimonies from teachers, pupils over the impacts of the road safety programs. We believe that we are contributing to making a difference in reducing the accidents on the roads with safety lessons provided by ZRST that include:

• How to be seen by drivers
• How to choose a safe place to cross
• How to cross safely
• How to walk safely along the road
• How to find a safe place to play, relax or do business, etc.
  Guest of Honour
  As Puma Energy, we are fully committed to continuing sponsoring the road safety programs even as our customers continue to support us also buying fuel and lubricants from our service stations as we refuel their journeys.
  With our drivers making about 8,900 trips every month as they transport our products by road; we are alarmed by rates of road traffic deaths in the country. This has led us to embark on a series of campaigns to promote safer roads in Zambia.
  Our most notable initiatives in this regard have been holding staff road safety talks at all of Puma Energy’s locations in Zambia, hosting road safety education programs on various radio stations, and launching the ‘Be Road Safe’ policy which highlights eight key road risks.
  Guest of Honour
  I am happy to inform you that this year, Puma Energy Zambia is contributing K300,000 towards this life-changing Road Safety Infrastructure project and other road safety programmes. We recognize the great efforts that our Government is putting in reducing the number of deaths on Zambian roads that have increased over the years. Of the deaths recorded so far, we have a significant number of school children who have been knocked down by motor vehicles as they go to or from school.
  We recognize that the Government’s resources are also limited especially during this Covid19 pandemic. We, therefore, believe that consented efforts are needed from everyone in handling this problem and hence, Puma’s decision to support the government in improving road safety.
  Guest of Honour
  The Zambia Road Safety Trust has been very accountable so far by providing us with reports on the safety programs they are conducting. We have also monitored progress through our participation in some of their programmes.
  Ladies and gentlemen,
  In conclusion, I would like to appeal to all road users to help us make roads safer for children by adhering to road rules set by the Road Transport and Safety Agency. I particularly urge drivers to employ our ‘Be Road Safe’ tactics and refrain from dangerous driving, poor roadcraft, speeding, driving while impaired, and using their mobile phones while driving.
  Honorable Minister, I want to thank you all for your presence.
  May I also want to thank everyone for your undivided attention.
  Be road safe!