NAN-H-87
NURTW
By Sunday John
Lafia, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed for downward review of the cost of the newly-introduced speed limit device to N2OOO.
The Chairman of the union in the state, Alhaji Salihu Adamu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Tuesday that the current cost of the device was not affordable to his members.
Adamu commended the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for introducing the device but appealed that it should be made affordable to commercial vehicle owners and drivers.
He said that the branch had cautioned its members against speeding, dangerous overtaking and over-loading but that the warning seemed to be falling on deaf ears.
“The essence of the device is to curtail the excesses of drivers to reduce accidents on the highways and not to generate funds for the government.
“The cost of the device should be N2000 to make it affordable for owners of vehicles and drivers given the economic challenges confronting the country.
“Buying it at the rate of N45000 is too high and most commercial vehicle owners cannot buy it, unless the FRSC is determined to inflict hardship on our members,” he added.
He said that commercial drivers were always at the receiving end of any government policy.
“We are always at the receiving end of any policy, whenever the price of oil, drivers’ licence or spare parts go up, the transport cost remains the same,’’ Adamu added.
He thanked the Nasarawa State Government for helping the union in the state.
He also appealed to Gov. Umaru Al-Makura to fulfill his promises to the union by making available the motor park on Jos road and other areas.
He said that the provision of the motor part would go a long way to curtail accidents and decongest Lafia, the state capital. (NAN)
SDJ/KOLE/MVO
(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Mbadiwe Okwor)