NPA, FRSC Collaborate To Mitigate Crashes Involving Heavy Duty Trucks

The menace posed by falling trucks in Lagos State has led the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Lagos State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps to agree to partner in addressing the challenges.

This was the outcome of the meeting held between the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NPA, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Kolo and Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide in Lagos.

The two leaders agreed on the modality for the diligent implementation of the MoU earlier signed between the FRSC and NPA particularly in the area of improving the capacity and efficiency of truck drivers. They further agreed that while FRSC Operatives may not necessarily be involved directly in the ports trucking operations, they would collaborate to ensure that the trucks meet minimum safety standards and are properly latched before being allowed out of the port terminals

These were contained in a statement by Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi in Lagos on Saturday.

According to the statement, “The two organisations should have representatives from both sides to see what has not been implemented in the earlier signed MoU and ensure it’s implemented’.

The two sides also agreed on the need to support the Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business and for NPA to support the training programs for the Truck drivers for continuous improvements in their skills.

Furthermore, NPA is to liaise with the Lagos State Government to secure a holding bay where trucks impounded by the FRSC can be kept for safety.

Speaking on the partnership initiatives, the Lagos Sector Commander stressed his commitment to the continuing efforts to involve relevant stakeholders in addressing the menace of road traffic crashes involving heavy duty trucks.

He further expressed optimism that the strategic partnership with the NPA would go along way in addressing the menace of unlatched and overloading of trucks.