By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HARCOURT – The Federal Government has emphasized the need for proper certification, regular training, and an improved safety culture for transporters to enhance road safety nationwide.

The announcement came during the inauguration of the Rivers State Executives on National Transport Health and Safety/Heavy-Duty Trucks Safety Compliance, organized by the Joint National Transport Safety Committee of Nigeria (JNTSCN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), and the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations (Transport).

The National Executive Chairman of JNTSCN, Amb. Taiwo Mogbojuru Oluwadamilare, officially inaugurated the newly appointed Rivers State Chairman, Amb. Goodlife Chukwuemeka Elee, and his state executives.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, the Director of OSH, Mrs. Florence Owie, highlighted the urgent need for compliance with road safety regulations, citing the nature of vehicles and the attitudes of road users. She stressed that proper training and certification of truck drivers are crucial to reducing accidents and occupational hazards.

“Transport health and safety remains the backbone of economic activity in Nigeria, yet it is also one of the highest-risk sectors due to road traffic accidents, occupational injuries, fatigue-related incidents among drivers, and poor vehicle maintenance,” Owie said. “This underscores the need for stronger regulatory enforcement, structured safety governance systems, and continuous monitoring and compliance mechanisms.”

Owie reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing and enforcing national OSH policies to ensure safe working conditions for all transport operators.

Amb. Mogbojuri added that the inauguration was not merely ceremonial but a decisive step toward safeguarding lives, enhancing regulatory compliance, and restoring discipline across the transport system in Rivers State and Nigeria. He further noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and the protection of human lives.

“A safe, efficient, and compliant transport system is central to achieving these national priorities,” Mogbojuri said, adding that the global challenges in transport safety remain deeply alarming.