Mrs. Khadijat Saidu-Shabi cutting the symbolic commissioning tape and sorrounded by Chief Remi Ogungbemi in blue attire and dark cap with other dignitaries at the occassion.
Story by Dili Utomi.
It is a very welcome feeling that in these times of harsh economic and social realities in Nigeria, a body which was only recently formed is taking the bull by the horns by inaugurating a programme aimed at providing succour and stemming the tide of economic losses for members and the general public alike.
The National Association of Maritime Truck Operators (NAMTOP) was founded not too long ago to amalgamate the various transport unions in the country in order to act as pressure group, protect members and their businesses and help them to advance their economic well being as much as possible. On the morning of this Thursday, members gathered to witness the commencement of the “Mobile Workshop Vans”.
The launched vans and other equipment.
The occasion had a lot of security and transport personnels as well as truckers and journalists in attendance. The Managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA) was represented by Mrs. Khadijat Saidu-Shabi while the Federal Road Safety Corps had deputy commander Mafe T in attendance, others representing their superiors were deputy commissioner of police, Mr. Owowunwa representing the state commissioner of police while Mr. Sylvester Uzoefuna represented the commissioner of police, Ports and a lot of other dignitaries were also in attendance.
In an opening speech, Chief Remi Ogungbemi who is also the chief patron of NAMTOP disclosed that they as truckers had a vision to professionalise the transport sector and that this inauguration is just the beginning of that vision. Adeshina Ajibola, the head of the rescue team also disclosed that apart from the 3 rescue vans, they also have tyre pumping machines, safety equipment, jacks, wheel spanners and road diversion materials to do their job.
In his goodwill message, Engineer Khaleed Agboola of the Trucks Transit Parks (TTP) said that there are 3 key stages of emergency rescue operation. They are early detection, availability of equipment and life retrieving measures or the reduction of impact on lives of victims.
The representative of the NPA MD, Mrs. Saidu-Shabi in her principal’s address said that “this is a ground breaking event by a consortium of truckers which is aiming to address one of the key issues within the sector which is the breakdown of trucks causing a lot of hardships along the road. The association in conjunction with the NPA has initiated these mobile workshop vans as a way of having a rapid response team for trucking issues”. She added that the menace of truck breakdown and its attendant effect had become a big drain on the economy and also an embarrassment too, but that the mobile workshop vans which are equiped with modern repair equipment and technically gifted personal will help not just in removing trucks with problems from the road, but also advancing the cause of realising the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Sylvester Uzoefuna of the Port police noted that in any society, no success can be achieved without safety and security and that there was no way the event would have happened without the contributions of the security agencies who will ensure that more successes can be achieved as desired.
The FRSC representative, Mafe T in his contribution noted that security is everybody’s business and so the FRSC usually ensure that they arrive at any location where they are needed in under 15 minutes. He added that one should always ensure that there is a pre and post rescue process in order to further preserve life.
The representative of Mr. Moses Fadipe, coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), Hamidu Jantabo noted that “hearing the overviews of this initiative, I am very optimistic of our success as about 50% of our job and responsibilities at PSTT would have been carried out by this emergency rescue team”.
Again, a frontline member of NAMTOP, Folake George enthused “we at NAMTOP want to enhance professionalism in transport operation with the use of modern equipment and technology in order to help facilitate trade. Soon, we shall also add towing vehicles to the series of equipment that we presently have” she concluded.
Mrs. Khadijat Saidu-Shabi accompanied by other dignitaries then went on to cut the tape as a way of commissioning the vans and other stated equipment.
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