Proedge Limited, a corporate communication company in Abuja, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission, organized a one-day sensitization programme for truck and tanker drivers on safe monitoring, to make the highways safe for all road users and minimise carnage, as well as destruction to lives and properties
The event which held on Wednesday at the NNPC depot, Suleja , brought together, strategic stakeholders and partners such as the representatives and officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Of Nigeria(IPMAN) as well as the representatives of Proedge Limited.
The chairman and chief consultant, Proedge limited, Mr Tajjudin Abdulkareem who also served as host at the event, said in his opening remarks, that the purpose of the programme is to key into the broad policies of the FRSC, on the continous sensitization of all those who operate on our highway and to interact with drivers of tankers and trucks as well as the managers of the fleets.
He said despite the fact that the state of our roads are not yet where we want them to be , it is important that the human factor is given critical attention. He added that the “programme is part of the continuation of the need to sensitize the various stakeholders especially, the drivers of trucks and tankers, as it takes the right frame of mind and right kind of vehicles to drive safely on the highway”, stressing the need for drivers to be conscious of the limitations of the roads they ply and the state of their vehicles.
He also said that the task of sensitizing road users is not a one-off affairs, as drivers can never be educated enough so, ” therefore it is important that this kind of sensitization programmes are carried out from time to time”. He thanked the FRSC for the opportunity to be a partner in the Commission’s efforts of continuous sensitization of road users.
The Corps Marshal, represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Operations, Olatunji Adegoke, during the programme, said that the services of trucks and tanker drivers is so important to Nigerian citizens because of the key roles they play in the movement of goods and services across the country hence, the need to periodically educate and enlighten them on safety tips to adopt while driving, either on the highway or anywhere else.
He noted the practice of night journey by most truck and tanker drivers which he said does not make for safety on the road because human being by nature is made to work during the day and rest at night but that most drivers violate this natural law which then put their bodies under stress and fatigue which is usually the cause of most road mishap.
He urges drivers to always have consideration for their family members at home while behind the wheels and abide by all safety measures and rules for road users such as making sure that they get enough rest before embarking on any journey because it is not possible to sit behind the wheel all day without the body asking for rest therefore, pleading with drivers not to work when they are supposed to rest.
He discouraged the use of drugs by drivers to try and remain awake when they are supposed to be taking a rest and, also spoke of the need to maintain speed limit, in line with the commission’s theme for the ember months campaign which borders on night travelling and speeding
He also spoke of the practice of drivers in the habit of packing vehicles on the road without using caution signs that will alert incoming vehicle of their presence but instead, they mostly use leaves and tires as caution signs which they always leave behind once their vehicles is fixed and also the lack of use of auto reflective tapes which serves as warning to others road users.
He concluded by appealing to drivers to avoid making journeys at night and also to maintain moderate speed limit while on the highway.
Others participants who spoke at the event include Alhaji Yahaya Ahmed Alhassan (Chairman, IPMAN, Abuja , Suleja unit), Alh. Umar Mustapha (unit Chairman PTD), Engr. Abubakar Muhammed, Depot Manager, Deputy Corps Marshal, Charles Edem.