…As FRSC Certifies 43

The Rivers State Sector
Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Andrew Ayodele Kumapayi, has disclosed that 43 driving schools are certified in Rivers State.
Kumapayi made this known during a public programme organized in Port Harcourt recently.
According to him, statistics available to the corps also show that 13 are presently awaiting certification in the state.
The  commander noted that the driving schools that have already been certified, still need re-certification, adding that the requirements for the certification of driving schools included registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) use of road worthy vehicles, licensed instructors and availability of classroom and administration offices.
The FRSC boss in Rivers State also disclosed that availability of instruction materials, state traffic laws, first aid kits, fire extinguisher, Highway Code and availability of space, among others are part of the criteria for certification of driving schools, and enjoined proprietors of such schools to ensure full compliance or risk ban.
Meanwhile, a stakeholder in road transport business, Mr Maurice Oboh, has also expressed dismay over the influx of unqualified driving schools in Rivers State.
Oboh, who made his feelings known in a chat with our correspondent said it is disheartening that most driving schools used rickety vehicles to train their students while some do not even have offices or genuine contact addresses, stressing that the authorities should publish the names of all unqualified driving schools that are not certified by FRSC, saying that such would help check the influx and activities of those quack driving schools.
He enjoined all owners of driving schools to follow due process while such drivers should register with approved driving schools, obtain driving school certificate certifying the driver fit to drive and should stop patronising quacks who operate fake driving schools.