By Chizoba Njaka
Parents, guardians and school authorities have been urged on Oct 12, to prioritise children’s safety by avoiding taking them to school or allowing them to travel through heavy rainfall that could result in flooding and other road hazards.
The warning was issued by the Anambra State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amb. Chinedu Nwabueze, who cautioned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods and make roads unsafe for schoolchildren.
Nwabueze, who also serves as the Treasurer of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Anambra State, emphasised the need for parents and school authorities to exercise caution during periods of intense rainfall.
He noted that taking children through flooded roads could expose them to serious dangers, including being swept away by floodwaters, accidents and other unforeseen incidents.
The RTEAN chairman stressed that the lives and safety of children must take priority over school attendance, urging parents and guardians not to take unnecessary risks when weather conditions become dangerous.
He also called on school authorities to consider the safety of pupils during heavy rainfall and make appropriate decisions to prevent children from being exposed to hazardous conditions on their way to and from school.
According to the safety message, heavy rainfall can lead to flash floods, while some roads may become impassable or dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.
Nwabueze further appealed to parents, guardians and schools to cooperate in preventing avoidable tragedies, stressing that taking precautionary measures could help protect children from flood-related dangers.
He urged members of the public to embrace the message of safety, reminding them that it is better to delay a journey or keep children away from dangerous routes than to risk their lives.
“Let’s be safe, not sorry,” the safety message concluded, reiterating the importance of putting children’s welfare first during the rainy season.
Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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