By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Anambra State Ministry of Transport has commenced the implementation of Special Trade License Regulation under the Anambra State Road Traffic Law
To this effect, the ministry is organising consistent training programmes for persons or organizations involved in motor vehicle dealers, auto mechanics and other items of motor vehicles related trades and services in the state.
The Coordinator and Consultant on Special Trade License Regulation, Anambra State, Prince Fidelis Nnadi disclosed to our correspondent in Abuja, that 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 on the 11th May 2024 at the VIO Computerised Vehicle Inspection Center Awka
“Participants were urged to take seriously the initiative geared towards sanitizing and ridding Anambra State roads of incessant road crashes, occasioned by poor vehicle maintenance as well as unworthy vehicles plying the roads and to prevent road crashes before it occurs,” he stated.
According to him, while declaring the event open at VIO Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre, Awka, the State’s Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Barr. Patrician 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.
The Commissioner applauded those present for creating time out of their busy schedules 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 Soecial Trade License Regulation as germane and a safety policy of government towards road crash reduction in Anambra State, stressing that the sensitization programme will equip the participants with adequate infirmation and knowledge in their trade towatds 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 Administration, stressing that it will not be business as usual in Anambra State, even as he added that the overall effect was that at the end, they will have sound vehicles on their roads.
Engr. Obiekwe, the Permanent 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 Chief VIO, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Achum Macdonald urged the traders and service operators to ensure compliance as the agency will not fold hands and not enforce the regulation.
The Head, Accident Investigation Unit, VIS Ministry of Transport, Engr. Eze Daniel Onyeka, the Head Of Department Transport Operation, Mr Chris Okeke and the Coordinator Special Trade License Regulation, Anambra State, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi enjoined the participants to endeavour to put into use all what they had been taught, saying the training would be a continuous and rewarding one, where further information and lectures will be delivered, stating that it will be organized and held consistently.
‘We want you all to go back home and inform 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 talk, even as he promised to mobilize his members for the next training.
The programme therefore ended with a vote of thanks from the Head of Operations (Transport) Mr. Christopher Okeke.
