Twelve out of the 40 screened fleet operators in Enugu State were on Thursday, presented with certificates by the FRSC for maintaining the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme.
The operators certified are Peace Mass Transit, DVI-ENTRACO, Central Mass Transit, Emiko Transport, Kennis Transport, Auto Star Executive Travels and Globis Motors.
Others are Enugu the North Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Royal Mass Transit, Awgu Mass Transit and ENTRACO.
Speaking at the occasion on Thursday in Enugu, Mr Chike Nwaka, the Enugu Zonal Commander of the Corps, said that the scheme was aimed at inculcating the culture of safety on fleet drivers before they embark on their trips.
Nwaka said that mounting check points to monitor drivers was not enough to mitigate road crashes as the programme would introduce proactive measures that would assist fleet operators to reduce the incidences of road accidents.
He said that the scheme would soon be made compulsory for all fleet operators to under-go the screening before operating so that they would be regulated to meet the standard.
“For cost effectiveness, managers of fleet vehicles must be conscious of the state of their vehicles and drivers by checking all details stipulated in the safety standard scheme.
?“You must see this certificate as the beginning of maintaining the safety standard and not the end to its observation because road accidents deplete the nation’s productive manpower,’’ he said.
In his address, the Sector Commander, Mr Funmbi Olawoyin, said that the scheme was a regulatory policy that stipulated minimum safety requirement for fleet operators with at least five vehicles.
Olawoyin,represented by Mr Okey Ugbomma, the Head of Operations said that all fleet operators were supposed to register under the scheme and be certified after meeting the three basic safety standards for operator, vehicle and the drivers.
While congratulating those certified, he advised them not to relent in sustaining the standard because certification was a yearly exercise based on the evaluation of the report of continuous assessment.
He urged those that had not registered under the scheme to emulate their counterparts because it was in line with best global practice to eradicate road accidents and create safe motoring in Nigeria.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, the General Manager, Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO), Mr Okey Mbah, said that the recognition given them would spur them to do more in maintaining road safety standards.
He commended the FRSC for introducing the scheme as it would go a long way in reducing road accidents. (NAN)