From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
A Senate Bill seeking the establishment of a National Road Transport Council failed to pass through second reading on Thursday as the Lawmakers voted against their passage citing duplication of already existing agencies.
The bill was thrown out after the Senators posited that the objectives of the Bill are already being fulfilled by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers amongst others.
Objectives of the Bill were read out by the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno who stood in for the Bill’s sponsor Senator Ashiru Oyelola, senator representing Kwara south.
He said that the council will be saddled with the task of policy formulation, setting operational standards, licensing and accreditation, oversight of professionals, and advising the government on road transport matters.
The Lawmaker emphasised that it will solve problems in the Transportation sector such as; poor regulation and oversight, lack of coordination among relevant agencies, prevalence of substandard and unsafe vehicles, disorderly motor park and poor professionalism among operators.
More details of the bill stated that;
“The Council will coordinate relevant agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Office, and Nigeria Police Force to streamline activities and foster synergies.
“It will regulate driver training institutions to ensure they maintain laid-down standards and also oversee motor parks, taxi/bus stops, and other transport terminals to promote orderliness.
“It will be empowered to license and regulate commercial transport operators to curb malpractices. It will maintain registers of accredited professionals like drivers, conductors, mechanics, and managers.
First to support the second reading of the bill was Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) but pointed out there is a need to add a more comprehensive framework on the bill.
“We need to add a more comprehensive framework to have a more effective road system and coordination. This is a bill that is in the right direction and I urge all to give it its necessary support Mustapha said.
On his part, senator representing Enugu west Osita Ngwu said the bill is necessary to ensure that certain policies are put in place for safety on the roads.
Disapproval of the bill began with Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) who said that apart from the replication of agencies such FRSC and VIO,the bill will also create room for “Touts” to operate freely all over Nigerian roads.
“I don’t think we have the framework presently, if you look at all three we already have agencies of government that regulate vehicles on our roads. We have the FRSC that works across the Federation and we have the VIO who are also involved in the management of our roads.
“When we pass this bill it will create room for “Touts” all over the place . The existing agencies should be strengthened to do their work.
Benson Sunday Agadaga ( Bayelsa East ) also faulted the bill saying that if passed into Law other bills requiring the establishment of councils to manage other Transportation systems like railway, Air and water will be brought up.
Disagreeing further Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that rather than create new agencies which will further burden the FG with funding agencies such as the FRSC should be scrapped in accordance with the suggestions of the Steve Oronsaye Report.
He said; “Even the FRSc has not added value. We must avoid multiplication of agencies . The FRSC are incompetent , we don’t need to create more agencies for anything. We are all brothers and sisters here but I support that this bill be killed.
Senator Kenneth Eze ( Ebonyi Central) also said that the bill will ridicule the essence of the President’s approval of the Steve Oronsaye Report which requires the scrapping and merger of Government agencies to reduce Government expenditure.
The bill was subsequently rejected after it was subjected to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in favour of the higher number of Senators who chanted “Nay”.