NITT seeks collaboration with FRSC to train trailer drivers

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), on Tuesday sought for collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to train trailer drivers to check incessant cases of accidents involving trailers.

Dr Aminu Yusuf, NITT Director-General made the suggestion when he received FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal in-charge of Manpower Development, Mr Kingsley Agumo, who paid him a courtesy call.

This is contained in a statement by the institute's Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Paul Mshelizah, made available in Zaria, Kaduna State.

“It is expedient to have working relationship with the FRSC in the area of training and re-training of trailer drivers across the federation to check the incessant cases of accidents involving trailers.

"The collaboration is very essential due to the fact that both organizations share many things in common and it will open opportunities for both to design curriculum which will serve as model for training and retraining of trailer drivers.

"I am confident that the move will aid in the reduction of speed, recklessness and also enforce strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the profession,” Yusuf said.

The DG said to achieve the set target, resource persons would be contracted to lecture drivers on road safety issues.

According to him, NITT is endowed with facilities in Zaria, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and at its two new centres in Gombe and Enugu to conduct such training.

He said that the institute plans to deploy mobile simulators to designated centres to facilitate adequate training of drivers in rural communities across Nigeria.

Responding, Agumo said the FRSC was interested in conducting uniform training and re-training exercise for drivers all over the country.

He said that the training would include drug test check, physical and mental state of drivers, awareness in changes in vehicle, road and environment issues among others.

The road marshal said the commission was streamlining the operations of driving schools nationwide to ensure that they conform to standard.

"The commission had devised a system that will enable the it determine certified driving schools which is a yardstick for issuance of driver licenses.

"I must commend the NITT for granting FRSC the needed support to work together to ensure safety standards on the nation’s highways," he added.