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 programmes for affected persons or organizations involved in motor vehicle dealing, auto mechanics, and other 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 on the 11th May 2024 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 roads and to prevent road crashes before they occurred.
Declaring the event open at the VIO Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre, Awka, the State’s Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Barr. 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.
The Commissioner applauded those present for creating time to be at the sensitization training, even as she called on Ndi Anambra to join the Ministry in her task of reducing road crashes in the state to the barest minimum, as well as sanitizing the sector from unauthorized persons or organizations in the performance of their 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 programme would 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 disclosed that there was a form an applicant was expected to complete, make the appropriate fee payment at the government platform, while inspection would 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 the data of those involved in the Special Trade License trades and services in Anambra State,’ he said.
The Permanent Secretary further emphasized that the implementation of the Special Trade License was in conformity with the objectives of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Administration, stressing that it would not be business as usual in Anambra State.
‘The overall effect is that at the end, we will have sound vehicles on our roads,’ the Permanent Secretary stated.
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, technicians, articulated vehicle dealers, articulated vehicle spare parts dealers, vehicle dismantle and recyclers, vehicle assemblers, vulcanizers, 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 VIO, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Achum Macdonald, urged the traders and service operators to ensure compliance as the agency would 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, Social Trade License Regulation, Anambra State, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi; enjoined the participants to endeavour to put into use, all they had been taught, saying the training would be a continuous and rewarding one where further information and lectures would be delivered, stating that it would 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 programme ended with a vote of thanks from the Head of Operations (Transport) Mr. Christopher Okeke.
