Omar draws on global expertise to address road carnage Several links forged at World Road Congress

Anna Cox TRANSPORT MINISTER Dullah Omar has hailed new and exciting developments which resulted from the recent PIARC World Road Congress as ‘a great success.’ In a bi-lateral meeting with Omar during the congress, UK Transport Minister David Jamieson accepted South Africa’s request for assistance on road traffic management expertise in order to address the carnage on South Africa’s roads. Both ministers have agreed that there is a need for the two countries to work together in exploring the latest methods and technical skills in an effort to decrease the country’s high road fatality rate. Omar said a delegation from the Department of Transport would visit the United Kingdom soon to exchange views with road safety experts and to inspect key road safety projects. “We would like to use technology more, to manage and co-ordinate our traffic on a daily basis,” said Omar. A bilateral meeting was also held with Algeria’s Minister of Transport, where it was decided to send an official transport delegation to the country to address bilateral issues. The Minister also addressed the Canadian delegation at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry on co-operation and business opportunities between the two countries. A follow-up discussion was held with Canada’s under-secretary of transport concerning a memorandum of understanding. Canada has been instrumental in assisting the implementation and formation of the Railway Safety Regulator. Omar also met with 20 African ministers to explore regional co-operation and to share challenges and successes with colleagues from the continent It was agreed that Africa’s road infrastructure issues would be taken up in the various structures of NEPAD, SADC and the African Union.