By Abbanobi Eku-Onyekachi
The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative, (APRI) has applauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike for approving the relocation of auto mechanics, spare part dealers and all motor vehicle related trades and service operators in Apo to Wassa, the permanent site.
In a statement issued by the Executive Director, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi at the weekend, hailed Wike for the giant strides.
He stated that mechanics and spare parts dealers contribute substantially to the mandate of vehicle inspection officers in determining the health of vehicles and their road worthiness thereby impacting positively on safe vehicles.
He added that the permanent place for the businessmen would go a long way to enhance road accident prevention and safety of lives of road users.
Still applauding the minister, Nnadi reminded the him and the committee saddled with the responsibility of relocating the mechanics and others in the trade to ensure that relevant regulations of FCT are complied with as among the terms and conditions for relocating all motor vehicle related trades services operators in FCT, as such, according to him will enable the regulatory authorities effective implementation of such regulations.
Recommending that the regulation of the operations and services of mechanics and spare parts dealers will impact substantially in the prevention of road crashes and safety of road users, Nnadi said that the minister has earned the love of thousands of traders and artisans in this sector for providing them the long expected breathing space in conducting their business activities in a settled environment. He therefore said that they won’t ignore the importance and necessary contributions of mechanics and spare parts dealers in their effective implementation of road traffic safety strategies.
Nnadi lamented that the motor vehicle related trades and service sector is among the driving force in Nigeria’s economic growth and requires the support of the government for it to thrive. While urging other state governors to emulate the minister in this direction, Nnadi revealed that it is among resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly declaration in the implementation of Decade of Action for Road Safety 2020-2030 aimed at reducing road crash deaths and injuries on the global roads.
