The unions want the government to give them money to purchase the vehicles or alternatively, have the privilege to receive them on soft loan
By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
About 800 government and public transport drivers in Kebbi State have received training on modern traffic rules and regulations in the quest to reduce road accidents.
The induction course is a prelude to the takeoff of the Kebbi Transport Authority of which Governor Nasir Idris has already assented to establishing the Authority after passage by the House of Assembly.
The Commissioner for Transport and Renewable Energy, Hon. Bala Muhammad, said Governor Nasir Idris has placed premium on safeguarding lives and property of passengers and drivers.
Hon. Gagga announced that his Ministry has also been empowered to embark on water transport along maritime communities in the state.
“Already, the Ministry has taken possession of six boats delivered by the government”,
“They will be stationed in Zamare, Yauri, Dolekaina, Ngaski, Samanaji and Zauro”, Gagga announced.
The Commissioner added that the incumbent administration would consider the provision of vehicles to members of all the drivers union for public transport under an agreement to be finalised in due course.
“The unions want the government to give them money to purchase the vehicles or alternatively, have the privilege to receive them on soft loan from the government”, he explained.
On the recurring misunderstanding between VIOs/Road Safety Officers and drivers, the Commissioner said, engagement of all the antagonists were ongoing to resolve the issue and find permanent solution to it.
Welcoming the drivers, the Director, Road Traffic Department, Kebbi State, Mallam Danlami Kanya, described the training programme as highly important.
“The exercise ought to be an annual event for the safety of lives and property of the citizenry”,
“The Department is grateful to Governor Nasir Idris for giving approval to revive the training scheme which is in furtherance of efforts by the state to successfully manage road transport and curb accidents”,
“Lack of knowledge on traffic rules and regulations by drivers has contributed to an increase in cases of accident in the state and nationwide”,
“We are also thankful to the Governor for rehabilitating roads in the state which has helped tremendously to reducing carnage on our roads and highways”, Kanya remarked.
The Executive Chairman, Kebbi State Board of Internal Revenue, Aminu Abdullahi represented by the State Licence Officer, Ibrahim Abubakar Kalgo, declared the training open.