Local Car News #Update
The Senate has passed a mandatory bill to its committee members on transportation to liaise with necessary government establishments and other stakeholders responsible for road safety in Nigeria to ensure that drivers plying roads in any capacity across the country must be able to read, write and communicate effectively in the English language in addition to their driving qualifications.
The directive, which was a response to a motion raised by Senator Kurfi Umaru, representing Katsina Central Constituency. He expounded on the rational need to address the high rate of illiteracy among drivers on Nigerian roads.
Speaking on the motion, Senate President, Bukola Saraki said the relevant road safety and vehicle inspection officers must do the right thing and shun corruption, especially in granting of permission to drive.
“Licenses must be obtained by going through the normal required test. What we are seeing now is corruption and not following due process and its has resulted to loss of lives. People must see that they have a responsibility in ensuring that people go through the right process is very important because lives are lost when we have drivers that are not capable or do not have the necessary qualifications.
“The challenge is to those responsible for this and our Committee on Transport should provide their oversight and ensure that Road Safety and Vehicle inspection offices carry out the necessary work,” Saraki said.
The Senate also argued for the establishment of driving schools that will provide short-term courses for every prospective driver in every state of the country.