Stakeholders resolved that all haulage vehicles should go through mandatory certification twice in a year to prevent accident.
In a bid to stem the spate of incessant road accidents involving haulage and other related vehicles in the country, major stakeholders have resolved that all haulage vehicles should go through mandatory certification twice in a year.
Also, the importation of haulage vehicles exceeding ten years from date of manufacture, it was agreed, will be stopped with effect from January 1, 2020.
The decision was reached at meeting of relevant stakeholders on haulage operators convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Monday in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, present at the meeting were critical stakeholders from private sector and government organisations including the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transportation; Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety as well as Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, the representative of the Inspector General of Police, heads of various transport related agencies, transport unions and petroleum industry were also present.
At the meeting it was also resolved that standard speed limiters should be installed on all haulage vehicles in Nigeria, while trailers without safety valves and the required number plates will henceforth be disallowed from loading.
“The Safe-To-Load programme would continue to be enforced by relevant agencies at all loading points and Department of Petroleum (DPR), FRSC and other relevant agencies should immediately harmonise operating safety requirements at all Tank Farms,” the forum resolved.
In the same vein, it resolved that periodic checks of haulage vehicles should be carried out at all relevant loading points, while payment of National Transportation Allowances (NTA) and bridging claims to tanker operators will henceforth be contingent on compliance to minimum safety standards.
It was agreed at the meeting too that single operators of haulage vehicles must be duly registered with National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO and should comply with the provisions of Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).
On FRSC, it resolved that the Corps should establish appropriate command and control centres to monitor and ensure safety on the highways, adding that continuous public enlightenment with other relevant stakeholders should be conducted at all loading points of haulage vehicles and their Rest Areas.
“Federal Highways (Control of Dimensions, Weights and Axle Load of Heavy Duty Goods Transport Vehicles) Regulations, 2018 will be enforced,” the forum further resolved.
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In addition, the forum adopted the resolution that government will work closely with the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions towards the establishment of a Fleet Acquisition Renewal Scheme for haulage operators and that haulage vehicle conveying hazardous materials must be clearly labeled in conformity with the Highway Code.
The forum endorsed the convocation of bi-annual meetings in order to sustain government engagement with stakeholders to exchange ideas and share information for the sustenance of safer road management in the country.
