By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Ministry Of Transport, has commenced the implementation of Special Trade License Regulation under the Anambra State Road Traffic Law and is organizing consistent training programs for the affected persons or organizations involved in Motor Vehicle Dealers, Auto Mechanics, and others items of Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services in Anambra State.
The maiden enlightenment cum sensitization programme on Special Trade License Regulation for motor vehicle dealers, auto mechanics and technicians, panel beaters, artisans, battery dealers, and others in Anambra State was held recently at VIO Vehicle Inspection Centre by Roban Stores Awka, Anambra State.
The participants were urged to take seriously the initiative geared towards sanitizing and ridding Anambra State roads of incessant crashes occasioned by poor vehicle maintenance as well as unworthy vehicles plying the road and to prevent road crashes before it occurs.
Declaring the event open at VIO Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre, Awka, the State’s Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike implored the participants to spread the news and ensure that they obtained their respective license through the designated channels, noting that the training was mandatory for all those involved in the business of Motor vehicle related trades and services in Anambra State.
Madam Commissioner applauded those present for creating time out of their busy schedule to be at the sensitization training, even as she called on Ndi Anambra to join the Ministry in her enormous task of reducing road crashes in the state to the barest minimum as well as sanitizing the sector from unauthorised person or organizations in the performance of this trade and services without adhering to government policy.
Addressing the participants, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Engr. Michael Obiekwe described the Special Trade License Regulation as germane and a safety policy of government towards road crash reduction in Anambra State, stressing that the sensitization program will equip the participants with adequate information and knowledge in their trade towards assisting them to operate optimally and effectively. He noted that the Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of enlightening the general public on the need to get the mandatory special trade license.
The Permanent Secretary stated that “there is a form where an applicant is expected to complete, make the appropriate fee payment at the government platform while inspection will be conducted for License approval and issuance.
“We are here to inform the general public about this regulation and why it should be embraced by all. The essence is to build a community of professionals that can ensure that our vehicles are road worthy. The Ministry is gearing towards establishing an effective transport system that will have all the basic and necessary safety measures to ensure the safety of motorists and other class of road users including vehicle occupants when they are plying on the road. The Ministry is also establishing a database to capture data of those involved in the Special Trade License trades and services in Anambra State.”
The Permanent Secretary further emphasised that the implementation of this Special Trade License is in conformity with the objectives of His Excellency, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Administration, stressing that it will not be business as usual in Anambra State. The overall effect is that at the end, we will have sound vehicles on our road.
Engr. Obiekwe, the permenant Secretary, Ministry of Transport further urged the Motor Vehicle dealers, auto mechanics, auto spare parts dealers, auto service centres, caterpillar spare parts dealers, Keke dealers, Keke repairers, motorcycle dealers, motorcycle repairers, Tow Truck operators, tyre dealers, auto mechanics and technicians, articulated vehicle dealers, articulated vehicle spare parts dealers, vehicle dismantle and recyclers, vehicle assemblers, vulcanizer, panel beaters, artisans, vehicle accessories as well as battery dealers to hurry and obtain the license, emphasizing that those mentioned and others were the scope of the Special Trade License Regulation in Anambra State.
In their separate speeches, the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, VIO, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Achum Macdonald urged the traders and setvice operators to ensure compliance as the agency will not fold hands and not enforce the regulation.
The Head, Accident Investigation Unit, Vehicle Inspection Scheme, VIS, Ministry of Transport, Engr. Eze Daniel Onyeka, the Head Of Department, Transport Operation, Mr. Chris Okeke and the Coordinator Social Trade License Regulation, Anambra State, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi enjoined the participants to endeavour to put into use all that they had been taught, saying the training would be a continuous and rewarding one, where further information and lectures will be divered, stating that it will be organized and held consistently.
“We want you all to go back home and inform your members, friends, customers, and everyone about the Special Trade License Regulation of Anambra State as being implemented by the government of Anambra State.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Chairman of Automobile and Technicians Association, Anambra State, Comrade Obiora Nwogbo thanked the government for the Initiative and pleaded with them to walk the talk, even as he promised to mobilize his members for the next training.
The program ended with a vote of thanks from the Head of Operations (Transport) Mr. Christopher Okeke.
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