NAN-DS-36
Speed
By Taiye Edeni
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline for the commencement of enforcement of the speed limiting device, transport unions have commended the initiative but criticised the cost of procuring the item as prohibitive.
Officials of some transport unions who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, commended the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for the initiative, saying they believe the device would reduce the rate of road mishaps.
However, Mr Mohammad Yunusa, the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), said that acquisition of the device should be mandatory for all motorists and that the price should be made affordable.
“This issue has not been examined objectively; there are two key issues that need to be addressed one after the other.
“The price should be reasonable; it should not be sold at an exorbitant price and it has to be readily available; just like you buy drugs across the counter in the pharmacy.
“It has to be for all categories of Nigerians, including government officials; everybody must obey the rules.
“We believe that it would reduce the rate of accidents; because about 90 per cent of accidents is caused by speeding; so, we believe that it can control accidents seriously.’’
In a separate interview, Mr Isiwele Shehu, President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), noted that private drivers also drive recklessly and should also be made to acquire the device.
“It is not only commercial vehicles that speed. My argument is let both private and commercial vehicle owners have speed limiters,’’ Shehu said.
On his part, the Secretary of RTEAN, Mr Yusuf Adeniyi, said that the enforcement of the device should be a continuous process.
“Since the device is not going to be donated free of charge to all transporters by the government, the present state of the economy should be considered.”
According to him, drivers may not be able to purchase it at once due to the high cost.
He, therefore, suggested that vendors of the device should make provision for instalmental payment.
“It would be unfair for FRSC to start arresting transporters and impounding their vehicles by Oct. 1. it would cause hardship.”
He said that the only way enforcement would be successful was by giving transporters additional grace period to procure the device.
Similarly, Mr Francis Odinukaeze, Acting Secretary, Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN), described the introduction of the device as a welcome development, insisting that saving lives was paramount.
“I think bringing that policy at this point in time is good but looking at the cost implication, I don’t think it can be equated with life; saving of lives should be paramount.
“Government has done well. It is a good policy because our drivers are reckless and whatever can be done to curtail their recklessness on the road is a welcome development,’’ Odinukaeze said.
However, Mr Isah Usman, FCT Chairman of that National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said that the only challenge with the device was the price.
He, however, said that members of the union were awaiting the response of the national body to the issue.
NAN reports that FRSC has put the price of the device at about N33, 000. (NAN)
TY/DO/NKO
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(Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo)