A group, Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative, (APRI), has commended the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, for approving the relocation of auto mechanics, spare parts dealers and all motor vehicle related trades and service operators in the nation’s capital, to a permanent site in Wassa district.
Executive director of the group, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi, who made the commendation in a statement in Abuja at the weekend, noted that mechanics and spare part dealers contribute significantly to vehicle inspection process that determines road worthiness of vehicles, which also impact significantly on the health of vehicles, road accident prevention and safety of road users.
Nnadi, who described the group as a road traffic safety organisation, reminded the FCT minister and the committee, saddled with the responsibility of relocating the mechanics and others in the trade, to ensure that relevant regulations guiding the trades and services of motor vehicle related activities in the territory, are complied with by the traders.
He maintained that complying with relevant regulations guiding the business before relocating the traders would enable the regulatory authorities to effectively generate the required data for policy implementation in the sector.
Nnadi, who also described Wike as a road conscious minister, said the administration has earned the love and appreciation of the traders and artisans in the sector for providing them the long expected breathing space to conduct their business activities in a settled environment.
While urging other state governors to emulate the good examples of the FCT minister in this direction, the director of APRI said government cannot ignore the importance and contributions of mechanics and spare parts dealers in the effective implementation of road traffic safety strategies.
Nnadi recommended the regulation of the operations and services of mechanics and spare part dealers to prevent road crashes and ensure safety of road users, noting that the sector is among the driving force in Nigeria’s economic growth which requires the support of government.
He noted that this direction is in line with the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly declaration in the implementation of Decade of Action for Road Safety 2020-2030, which is aimed at reducing road crash deaths and injuries on global roads.