Transport
New Driver’s Licence Not By Proxy-FRSC
The Sector Commander,
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Rivers State Command, Mr Sunday Oghenekaro has said that drivers’ licence cannot be obtained by proxy.
Oghenekaro made this assertion during a public enlightenment rally organised in collaboration with Cleen Foundation held at Mile 3 Motor Park, Diobu, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said that some syndicates have been parading themselves as government agents at various locations in the state as well as around government officers, adding that some hang around FRSC offices across the state, car dealers’ marts and even at the entrances to the Rivers State Internal Revenue Services premises.
The FRSC boss further warned that applicants must be careful not to be attracted by their cut-corner approaches in obtaining the licence as such an unwary applicant might end up obtaining a fake driver’s licence.
“It should be noted also that no driving school has been authorised by the FRSC to process driver’s licence on behalf of their trainees in the state”, he opined, and hinted that the corps is making franctic efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute such fraudsters and unpatriotic elements in conjunction with the security agents.
Oghenekaro disclosed that genuine Nigerian driver’s licence could only be processed and obtained at the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service offices either at Obio Tax Office, 2 Old Aba Road by Customary Court, Rumuogba, Port Harcourt, 22 William Jumbo Street, Tax Office at Niger Insurance Plc building, Aba Road, Emenike junction tax office, Diobu and that of Eleme, close to the Police Station, while efforts were still being intensified for one at Ahoada.
The Sector Commander, who also highlighted the procedure of obtaining the licence noted that FRSC in the state has been able to provide public enlightenment to road users, encourage schools to organise a road safety club, and ensure it is part of the school curriculum, able to review Nigeria highway code, involved in collaborating with Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on road design with consideration of road signs, furniture on safety in federal roads.
He thanked all for gracing the occasion especially the programme officer of Cleen Foundation, Ifeanyi Anyanwu for his sponsorship of the programme.
In his keynote address, the Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC, Dr Aliyu Gummi, appealed to applicants of drivers licence to strictly adhere to the guidelines for the procedure of obtaining genuine licence and commended the efforts of stakeholders, Cleen Foundation for making the programme a huge success.
The programme was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Army, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, VIO, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Fleet Operators, Special Marshals among others.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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