Nigerian Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has said that the Federal Government has committed so much money into infrastructure to ensure that people reap the benefit of it, saying that without infrastructure businesses cannot grow.
Fashola made the remarks at the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO ) that was held in Abuja, contained in statement released by the Ministry on Wednesday.
The Minister said road building in the country has improved dredging, granite, laterite, quarry businesses and NARTO is one of the major beneficiaries for moving goods and services during construction works.
Fashola advised NARTO to enforce weight regulation from loading point for the safety of our roads and also ensure that their members are professionally trained drivers.
In the same vain, the Minister told NARTO to create certification for it’s members and drivers must be made to maintain speed limit, as well as bringing a stop to the culture of repairing trucks by the roadside, suggesting that workshops or trucks should be created in all states and NARTO divisions across the country.
In his remarks, NARTO President, Yusuf Lawal thanked President Buhari for making NARTO part of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Road Task Team that will supervises critical roads being handled by NNPC.
Yusuf further disclosed that NARTO has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU ) with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) that its members would observed high level of sincerity and responsibility during and after the conduct of 2023 election while moving election materials around.
Mr Yemi Adetunji who represented NNPC at the event said NARTO was involved in almost all activities of its organization and they are a key player in realizing its objective of contributing to the National economy.
He said NNPC is to support government to rehablitate the road in Nigeria and they would ensure the petrol products is available for people through NARTO.
The Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commision (FRSC) Corps Marshal Dauda Ali said, “NARTO has been working with us for a long time and we will always advise them when it is necessary, we worked together to ensure a successful ember months period.“
The Representative of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Godwin Jarikre said “since 2020 we have been collaborating with NARTO for the benefit of Nigerians to ensure safe driving on the road and to ensure bad emission from their trucks are not affecting members of the public.
“We will advise that drivers look for tools to manage their trucks and NARTO should keep emphasing on the training, education, medical fitness of drivers to ensure we have good transportation system in the country”, he said.