The Senate has taken the first step toward creating a National Road Transport Council with the introduction of a bill aimed at regulating the road transport industry and the transport profession in Nigeria.
The bill, officially titled the National Road Transportation Council (Establishment) Bill 2024, was presented to the Senate plenary as members resumed from their 30-day recess.
Sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader Senator Oyelola Ashiru, the proposed legislation outlines key provisions for the establishment of a council board. According to details disclosed by the Kwara South Senator, the board will comprise a Chairman and six members selected from each geo-political zone in the country.
Further insights from the bill, as reported by the Sun, indicate that the board will be chaired by a representative from the Ministries of Transport, Commerce and Industry, and Aviation, all holding a rank not below that of a Director.
The explanatory memorandum of the bill outlines the functions of the proposed National Road Transport Council. These functions include creating an effective regulatory framework for road transport service operators, determining the standard of knowledge and skills required for such operators, promoting education in road transportation, ensuring accessibility of road transport facilities, channels, and routes, monitoring the performance of the regulated road transport industry, conducting background checks on road transport service operators, registering all road transport service providers and determining registration fees, setting guidelines and general policies for road transport service operators, updating the Federal Government on its activities through annual and audited reports, reviewing progress, suggesting improvements within the provisions of the bill, and performing other necessary or incidental tasks assigned by the Federal Government.
The bill received approval from Senators through voice votes presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio shortly after its introduction to the floor of the Red Chambers by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. This legislative move aims to enhance regulation and oversight within the road transport sector in Nigeria, addressing key aspects of service quality, education, and accessibility.
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