FG seeks certification, improved safety culture for transporters

Federal Government has stressed the need for certification and regular trainings for transporters, adding that there is need for improved safety culture on the roads.

This was as the Joint National Transport Safety Committee of Nigeria (National Tripartite Transport Safety Council of Nigeria) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Headquarters, Abuja and Office of the Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations (Transport ) Forces Headquarters, inaugurated the Rivers State Executives on National Transport Health and Safety/Heavy-Duty Trucks Safety Complaince.

Speaking, the Director, Occupational Safety and Health Department, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Florence Owie, said the nature of vehicles and attitude of road users necessitated the need for the joint Taskforce to ensure compliance to rules on the roads.

Owie, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, said proper training and certification for truck drivers must be ensured for safety purposes.

She said “importance of Transport Health and Safety in the transport sector remains the backbone of economic activity in Nigeria.

“However, it is also one of the highest-risk sectors in terms of: – Road traffic accidents, occupational injuries and fatalities, fatigue-related incidents among drivers and poor vehicle maintenance and compliance gaps.

“This reality underscores the urgent need for: Stronger regulatory enforcement, Structured safety governance systems, Continuous monitoring and compliance mechanisms.”

Owie said that the Ministry through the Occupational Safety and Health Department, remains committed to developing and enforcing national OSH policies and ensure safe working conditions for all workers, including transport operators.

He said that transport workers, especially drivers must be recognised as workers in a high-risk occupational environment, requiring, noting they need proper training and certification.

However, the National Executive Chairman of Joint National Transport Safety Committee of Nigeria, Amb Taiwo Mogbojuri, said the inauguration occasion is not mere ceremony, but a decisive step toward safeguarding lives, strengthening regulatory compliance, and restoring discipline across transport systems in the state and Nigeria.

He noted that the inauguration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that it emphasises economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and the protection of human lives.

He said “A safe, efficient, and compliant transport system is central to achieving these national priorities. The global realities surrounding transport safety are deeply alarming.”