Paschal Emeka, Abuja
Posted August 24, 2023.
The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative, APRI, has called for synergy amongst government agencies to facilitate the implementation and enforcement of Special Trade Licensing in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and across the nation, so as to achieve road crash prevention and reduction.
APRI, a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, with a bias on road traffic accident prevention, in a press release signed by its Executive Secretary, Prince Fidelis Nnadi in Abuja, emphasized that the Special Trade License regulation enforcement is among regulations aimed at standardizing the activities in Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services.
He clarified that the regulation is within the legal framework of FCT Road Transport Regulation 2023 as amended including the Road Traffic Regulations of other States and is enforced currently by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services FCT.
He said that the primary requirement as prescribed by the regulation in FCT is that any person, or entity operating any Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services in FCT shall apply to the Transport Secretary FCT for a trade license and such shall be granted to the applicant having satisfied all conditions as required.
APRI the Coordinating Partner in the implementation of the Special Trade License said the regulation will strengthen the integrity of vehicle inspection, complement road traffic safety efforts, and improve confidence among motorists, spare part dealers, and mechanics as the regulation being currently enforced will curtail the sales of fake and substandard spare parts while Auto mechanics will be offered training opportunities to improve in their capacity to carry out their work as motor vehicle mechanics offering quality and standard services to motorists resulting in road crash prevention and reduction in motor vehicle road crash fatalities.
Commending the Directorate of Road Traffic Services FCT under Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello for his leadership in this direction and for the effective implementation of the regulation, Prince Fidelis Nnadi appealed to those affected by the regulation to ensure compliance considering that it is through the licensing scheme that government will have adequate data to plan for the establishment of the Automotive Village where all operators in the Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services will be relocated permanently, citing the Abuja Master Plan that had already mapped out such plan.
Nnadi also regretted that a section of the Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association in FCT has continued to maintain stiff resistance in complying with the regulation without considering its purpose and benefits, advising that confrontation with government rules and regulations should not be encouraged by their leadership and members for a healthy relationship to thrive.
He therefore condemned the resistance actions of the leaders of the Dealers in FCT that continuously restrained their members from complying with the regulation, even though non-compliance has its penalties.
He cautioned that the regulation is a means through which road crashes could be prevented or curtailed and those against it should have a rethink.
“We must do all things to ensure the prevention of road crashes with emphasis on ensuring that those who are in the supply chain or maintenance are regulated to deliver quality services to motorists and society.
Referring to the primary objectives of Special Trade Licensing, Prince Nnadi urged the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) to form a synergy with the Directorate of Road Traffic Services FCT in the implementation and enforcement of the regulation as these agencies have the mandate to do so.
“Safety of lives is the primary responsibility of government to which road users should be protected from road crashes which this regulation aims to achieve,” he said.