Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted july 12, 2023
Road crashes in FCT, and to a large extent Nigerian roads, can be curtailed by the current intensive measures towards implementing and enforcing the Special Trade License Regulation of FCT by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services FCT that has the mandate and authority in the implementation and enforcement of Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services (SPECIAL TRADE LICENSE) in FCT.
The regulation is backed by PART 111 Special Trade License of FCT Road Transport Regulation 2023, as amended.
This was disclosed by Prince Fidelis Nnadi, Executive Director, Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), a Road Traffic Safety focused organization promoting road crash prevention in Nigeria through a press statement released in Abuja.
Prince Fidelis Nnadi also lauded the impressive administrative and management style of the current Director of DRTS FCT, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello whose passion for the safety of lives of road users gave teeth to the intensive implementation and enforcement of Special Trade License in FCT.
Nnadi further stressed that the implementation of the regulation will curtail the increasing road crashes as auto mechanics and spare parts dealers will be discouraged from their nonchalant attitude in the repairs of motor vehicles and spare parts sales and distribution in FCT.
While blaming many auto mechanics for unprofessional and lack of safety consciousness in carrying out repairs of vehicles that often lead to road crashes and loss of lives including property, Nnadi also condemned auto spare parts dealers that supply fake and substandard auto Spare Parts to motorists without consideration to roadworthiness and safety of lives and vehicles that use such spare parts.
Prince Fidelis Nnadi equally confirms that as a conscious and passionate campaigner of Road Traffic Safety in Nigeria, his mission is to work with the Directorate as a Coordinator and Consultant in the implementation and enforcement of Special Trade License Regulations in States/FCT.
He further urged other States to emulate the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration in the promotion of the safety of road users in their respective States.
This he said, will contribute to the drastic reduction of road crashes in view of the fact that over 6,000 lives are lost in road crashes annually on Nigerian roads.
“Most road crashes are caused by those who pose to be auto mechanics while they are not and in addition to those that thrive in supplying and selling fake and substandard auto spare parts to motorists.
“These are some of the objectives which the Special Trade Licensing regulation aims to achieve by the issuance of Special Trade License to those that are qualified and documented in government data to practice such trade,” he said.