The Federal Government has announced new measures aimed at reducing road accidents across the country, with a focus on retraining and certifying trailer and tanker drivers.
Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Saidu Alkali, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a committee set up to address critical road safety concerns. The committee comprises key stakeholders mandated to design training and certification programmes for drivers of articulated vehicles.
Alkali, represented by Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, said the initiative would enhance road safety and boost national security. He assured that the ministry would finance the committee’s projects to ensure successful implementation.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is a prudent government. The ministry is mindful of safe driving in Nigeria. Kindly continue your good work and uphold your committee’s mandate,” he said.
Committee representative, Mr. Jide Owatunmise, commended the minister for establishing the team, noting that the move followed a directive from the National Assembly. He said the retraining of tanker and trailer drivers should be carried out within six months.
According to him, the committee had already met several times to draft and fine-tune an action plan, which has been submitted to the ministry for approval and funding.
Owatunmise stressed that retraining drivers had become more urgent given the rising cases of fatal crashes. He added that successful implementation would help reduce accidents, save lives, and protect valuable property.
“We are here to plead with you to use your good office to source funds for the implementation of the driver retraining and recertification programme as directed by the National Assembly,” he said.