The Drivers Training Committee has revealed that a majority of articulated vehicle drivers in Nigeria operate without valid driver’s licences and lack essential road safety knowledge.
This disclosure was made during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday with the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali.
The committee was established by the Ministry of Transportation in response to a directive from the National Assembly mandating the training and certification of trailer and tanker drivers.
According to the committee, the urgency of a comprehensive retraining programme has become critical due to the rising number of road accidents involving articulated vehicles.
The committee reported that more than 80 percent of these drivers are not adequately informed about safe driving practices.
It further noted that many lack valid driver’s licences, while some do not possess any licence at all.
Jide Owatunmise, the Country Director (Nigeria) of Driving Schools and Safety Alliance Africa and representative of the committee, emphasized the need for immediate funding and governmental approval for the implementation of the training initiative.
He stated, “As you have demonstrated your capability in securing funds to construct the bus terminals, we strongly believe you can also source funds to implement the driver’s retraining project to significantly reduce and eventually eliminate the crashes which have led to the loss of many lives and valuable properties.
“Over 80 per cent of these drivers do not know all they need to know for ensuring safe driving in all situations. Many of them do not have a valid driver’s license, while some do not even have a driver’s license at all.
“The increasing rate of road crashes involving the drivers of articulated vehicles has made the proposed retraining program both crucial and urgent, to save irreplaceable lives and properties on Nigerian roads.
“We humbly plead with you to use your good office to source funds for the un-delayed implementation of the drivers’ training and recertification programme as rightly directed by the National Assembly and passionately supported by you.”
Responding on behalf of the Minister, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Musa Ibrahim, assured stakeholders that the government is actively seeking alternative funding options to support the programme.
He explained, “The government of President Bola Tinubu is very prudent. The training was not envisaged in the budget of the ministry but be that as it may, we are looking for other ways around it to ensure that the training takes place.
“On receipt of the complaint from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the same from the National Assembly, we moved into action and said this committee must sit and be effective. We are mindful of providing safe, efficient and affordable transportation for Nigerians.
“The National Assembly is concerned, the National Security Adviser is concerned and the ministry is also concerned. So, we will get it done by God’s grace and achieve an accident-free road.”
