Federal Government Road Safety Plan progresses as Transport Ministry backs urgent retraining of tanker and trailer drivers to prevent deadly road accidents

The Federal Government Road Safety’s creative Plan has taken a significant step forward as the Ministry of Transportation reaffirmed its commitment to curbing road accidents across Nigeria.

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Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Transportation Alhaji Saidu Alkali—represented by Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary—announced that the government had fully strategised to tackle the persistent issue of road crashes nationwide.

A dedicated committee, formed under the directive of the National Assembly, is leading efforts to introduce mandatory retraining and certification programmes for trailer and tanker drivers.

These heavy-duty drivers have often been involved in some of the country’s most devastating accidents.

Alkali assured the committee of the Ministry’s financial support, stating:
“The Ministry is determined to support you to ensure that our roads are free of any form of accident nationwide.”

He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritises prudent governance and national safety, pledging full backing for the committee’s projects.

Mr Jide Owatunmise, speaking for the committee, praised the minister’s proactive stance, highlighting that their action plan—designed within a week of formation—was now ready and awaiting implementation funds.

He stressed the urgency of the driver retraining initiative, stating that it had become even more critical than when it was first mandated by the National Assembly.

“The success of the retraining and recertification programme will drastically reduce and eventually eliminate the crashes that have claimed lives and destroyed property,” Owatunmise said.

He added that successful implementation would also boost the Performance Management Score (PMS) of both the minister and the ministry.

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As stakeholders rally behind the initiative, the Federal Government Road Safety Plan could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s long-standing battle with road safety, especially in the haulage and fuel transport sector.