Reps task FRSC on improved vehicle licensing process

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, called for efficiency in assessing the Vehicle Licensing process being implemented by various regulatory agencies including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Vehicles Inspection Officer (VIO) and the States Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) that are agencies responsible for vehicle licencing in Nigeria.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Ben Igbakpa who underscored the need for the Commission to stipulate stringent administrative procedures for tankers/trailers operations in Nigeria for first–time Articulated Vehicles operators/applicants for FRSC registration.

In his lead debate, Hon Igbakpa who frowned at the activities of the operators of the articulated vehicles across the country called for effective regulatory and enforcement of various laws.

“The House also notes that it is the practice for a vehicle owner to present required data, make payment and eventually issued a vehicle licence and number plate by either of the Agencies.

“The House is aware that driving Articulated Vehicles requires special skills and knowledge of traffic laws and regulations in force but many drivers of articulated vehicles are not qualified to operate such vehicles as they are not licensed and lack skills to drive, thus resulting in fatal accidents.

“The House is also aware that in order to reduce the re-occurring rate of Accidents, the Federal Government mandated the Federal Road Safety Commission to establish minimum safety requirements for Articulated Vehicles.

“The House is conscious of the responsibilities of Federal Road Safety Corps to include monitoring, certifying, registering and enforcing compliance with regulations governing safety operations of Articulated Vehicles in Nigeria.

“The House is cognizant that the administration of minimum safety requirements demands that operators of the Articulated vehicles conform to the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme and registration of companies and that all tankers/tractor-trailers or any other form of an Articulated Vehicle, including those conveying dangerous goods are also required to comply with the guidelines on safe operations.

“The House is further aware that only Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) have accredited curriculum that would pass for the training of and certification of driving training team to train drivers of Articulated Vehicles.

“The House is disturbed that most tanker drivers are adolescents who can neither speak nor write in English, yet when issued licenses they endangered other road users contrary to the FRSC registration process mandating tanker/tractor-trailer transport services/ operators to register their transport companies with the FRSC.

“The House is concerned that the proliferation of uncertified driving schools issuing driving certificates to untrained drivers results in producing inexperienced drivers thereby causing accidents.

“The House is also cognizant of the fact that it is the responsibility of the Federal Road Safety Commission to have a driving school curriculum and qualified personnel for the purpose of monitoring, certifying, registering and enforcing compliance with the regulation governing safety operations of Articulated Vehicles in Nigeria.

“The House believes that unless the vehicle licensing processes, as well as safety requirements and guidelines for Articulated Vehicles operations in Nigeria, are rejigged with curriculum for drivers’ training school under the supervision of relevant transport institutes, the incidence of a road accident by articulated trucks drivers will continue unabated.”

To this end, the House tasked the Federal Road Safety Corps to compel tanker/tractor-trailer transport services/operators to disclose the type of heavy-duty vehicles business operation they are engaged in and register with the FRSC.

The lawmakers also urged FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) and related vehicle regulatory authorities to develop a comprehension driving curriculum as in the Lagos State University (LASU) and the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT).

In the bid to ensure its efficient operations, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Transport to establish the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in the six geopolitical zones to ensure access to the Institute and acquire the requisite knowledge and qualification before setting up the driving schools or manning the articulated vehicles, just as it mandated its Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure implementation.

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Reps task FRSC on improved vehicle licensing process

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Reps task FRSC on improved vehicle licensing process