NURTW seeks grassroots awareness on speed limiting technology

NAN-H-17
FRSC
Warri (Delta), Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Stakeholders in the transportation industry in Warri, Delta, have called for grassroots awareness campaign on the Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) Vehicle Speed Limiting devices.
The stakeholders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Warri that the Oct. 1 deadline for the enforcement of the policy was not feasible.
They said that motorists at the grassroots had not been enlightened on the relevance of the speed limiting devices.
They urged the FRSC to jettison the idea, adding that the bad state of the roads in the country was enough to control speed.
Mr Francis Ogbeni, Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Warri South branch, said it was wrong to impose such a policy on the masses in a democratic era.
“We are in a democratic world. You cannot just impose policies on the people without creating the awareness.
“We are not against it but the contention is that we at the grassroots have not been enlightened on the speed limiting devices.
“The awareness should be spread to the steering holders. That is, the drivers who are at the grassroots.
“To just discuss with people in Abuja and probably those at the state headquarters without going to motor parks at the unit levels like the `ember months campaign’ is not enough,’’ he said.
Ogbeni said it would be undemocratic to apprehend drivers over offences for which they had not been briefed.
The NURTW secretary urged the FRSC officials to visits various motor parks to enlighten the drivers about the device.
NAN reports that the speed limiting technology was introduced by the FRSC in 2015, a development which attracted diverse opinions from stakeholders.
NAN reports that the controversy was, however, laid to rest following the intervention of the Senate which held public hearing on the policy.
The Senate backed enforcement of the policy and eventually, Oct. 1, was set as a date for implementation.
The policy is meant to ensure sanity on the highways and reduce road carnages to the barest minimum.
The policy is expected to start with the commercial vehicles and fleet operators.
The Chairman, Tippers Drivers Unit, Warri, Mr Godwin Omojevwe, said that the policy would enrich some persons in the Commission.
According to him, the roads in the country are in deplorable state and it will be unprofessional for drivers to speed.
“There is no good road in the country for drivers to speed and they are coming with speed limiting device to make money for themselves.
“They are not helping the masses. In fact, they are inflicting more hardship on the people.
“They should not frustrate the drivers. They should extend the commencement of the policy till next year.
“If they go ahead to implement the policy on Oct. 1, if they are not taken to court, drivers might revolt,’’ he said.
Another commercial bus driver, Mr Anthony Chuks, said the policy was a mere gimmick to meek the drivers.
“Contract for the device will be given to a particular company to supply and install, ‘’ he said.
A commercial bus driver and former staff of Schlumberger, Mr Reginald Okoro, said the policy should bind all motorists.
“If they are bringing speed limiting device, it should be made general. Both private and commercial drivers should be involved in the policy,’’ he said.
Mr Egoruvwe Diamond said that private and government drivers were more reckless on roads than the commercial drivers.
“I once worked with Seismic company as a driver and we were given 80 KPH  as our speed limit, ‘’ he said. (NAN)
EDI/AJA
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)