At least, 90 percent of articulated trucks plying Nigerian roads are overaged vehicles and unsafe for Nigerian roads, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has declared.
While on a working visit to Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Lagos on Monday, the FRSC boss lamented that over-aged trucks on the roads were the reason for the incessant falls, leading to avoidable losses of lives and property.
He said: “Ninety percent of the articulated vehicles on the roads across the country are over 30 years, which are not supposed to be and that is the main reason for crashes of these articulated vehicles.
As part of measures to ensure the free flow of traffic, Oyeyemi urged NSC to collaborate with more stakeholders in setting as well as enforcing minimum standards for trucks and their drivers.
According to him, FRSC’s partnership with NSC over the years has yielded results in road traffic administration, hence, the need for sustained collaboration.
He also advised NSC to work with stakeholders to generate a database for traffic control, conduct public education and enlightenment for truck operators as well as train truck drivers on minimum safety standards.
The corps marshal added that the visit was to reinforce the robust relationship between the two agencies, especially with the appointment of a new Executive Secretary for the council, Mr Emmanuel Jime.
“Most of the trucks are not adhering to minimum safety principles and standards, some of them break down at the middle of expressway thereby causing crashes in the night.
“The corps had signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) to collaborate and set standards for truck operations.
“It will also generate database, conduct public education and enlightenment for truck operators, training of truck drivers and the implementation of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) scheme in Nigeria,” he said.
Jime, in his remarks, lauded the corps marshal for his rare act of humility by taking the first shot to visit the council towards advancing the relationship with his predecessor.
He assured the corps that he would do everything possible to ensure full implementation of the MOU between the two agencies on traffic management with respect to cargo movements.
“Within the council mandate as Port Economic Regulator and Trade Facilitation Agency, we identify critical issues challenging the performance of our nation’s logistics sector and the growth of her international trade.
“In response to them, the council has identified collaborative partnerships with relevant government agencies and the organized private sector as key to rigorously canvass ideas and solutions,” he said.
According to him, the good news still remains that the great potentials of our nation as the trade hub of the West and Central Africa subregion is not doubted.
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