The Federal Government has unveiled plans to reduce road accidents across Nigeria through targeted interventions in driver training and certification.
The Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Saidu Alkali, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja when he received a committee tasked with addressing critical road safety challenges in the country.
The committee, comprising key stakeholders, is responsible for developing mandatory training and certification programmes for trailer and tanker drivers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Alkali, represented by Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, emphasized that achieving the committee’s objectives would enhance road safety, national security, and public confidence.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to prudent governance and road safety. The ministry will support your mandate and ensure our roads are free of accidents,” Alkali said.
Mr. Jide Owatunmise, speaking on behalf of the committee, praised the ministry for establishing the body to address road safety, particularly within the haulage sector. He noted that the committee was created following a directive from the National Assembly (NASS).
Owatunmise explained that the project would retrain drivers of fuel tankers and other articulated vehicles within six months. The committee has already drafted and fine-tuned a workshop plan, which has been submitted to the ministry for approval and funding.
He stressed that implementing the programme is now more urgent than when NASS issued the directive, noting that it could significantly reduce accidents that have claimed lives and destroyed property.
“We believe that the success of the retraining and recertification programme will enhance the ministry’s Performance Management Score and improve overall road safety,” Owatunmise added.
The committee urged the ministry to mobilize resources promptly to fund the driver retraining and recertification initiative, underscoring its potential impact on national safety standards.
