Expert Tasks NURTW On Drivers’ Training

A retired Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (V.I.O), Mr Ogbonna Ekulo has reiterated the need for the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to train and orientate their members on obedience to traffic rules, avoidance of alcohol and phone calls while driving.
Ekulo gave the charge during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
According to Ekulo, majority of the drivers plying the roads did not pass through a process of learning how to drive by attending a competent and recognised driving school rather they started as conductors, and graduated to driving without proper education on the traffic laws.
He maintained that drivers especially commercial drivers need training and orientation through workshops, seminars, symposiums and other fora to be organized by relevant bodies like the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.
While tasking the National Union of Road Transport Workers to take the lead in this direction, he condemned the use of cell phone and drinking of alcohol while driving, adding that the use of cell phone while driving is more prevalent among private car owners.
He urged relevant government authorities responsible to maintain the traffic rules, as well as proactive to ensure that the lives of the passengers and the drivers are saved adding that arresting and prosecuting offenders would go a long in correcting the vices.

Kinika Mpi