The Nigerian Senate rejected a bill to establish the National Road Transport Council, sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru (APC Kwara South).
The proposed legislation, titled National Road Transportation Council (Establishment) Bill, 2024, aimed to regulate the road transport industry and profession in Nigeria.
In leading the debate on the bill On Thursday, Ashiru explained that the legislation would create a council board consisting of a chairman and six members, each representing a different geo-political zone of the country.
According to the explanatory memoranda of the bill, presented by Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North) on behalf of Ashiru, the board would include representatives from the Ministries of Transport, Commerce and Industry, and Aviation, who would hold positions not below the rank of Director.
The proposed council’s functions were outlined to include:
- Creating a regulatory framework for road transport service operators.
- Setting standards for knowledge and skills required in the road transport sector.
- Promoting education in road transportation.
- Ensuring accessibility of transport facilities, channels, and routes.
- Monitoring the performance of the road transport industry.
- Conducting background checks on transport service operators.
- Registering service providers and determining registration fees.
- Setting guidelines and policies for operators.
- Reporting annually to the Federal Government on activities and progress.
- Suggesting improvements and carrying out tasks as assigned by the Federal Government.
During the debate, Senators Victor Umeh (LP Anambra Central), Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North), and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), among others, opposed the bill.
They argued that it would duplicate the functions of existing agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Directorate of Road Transport Service (DRTS), also known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
As a result, when Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, the majority of Senators voted against it.