NGO links high rate of road accidents to substandard mechanics

An NGO, Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), has attributed the high rate of road accidents in the country to poor auto mechanics.

The Executive Director of the Organization, Mr Fidelis Nnadi, said this in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency on Friday in Abuja.

According to Nnadi, most of the vehicles that are maintained do not have the basic and standard knowledge of auto parts unique to vehicles.

Nnadi said that most auto mechanics were trained and only underwent “family internships” and lacked the proper knowledge.

It also highlighted that most imported cars were used cars that required proper maintenance before being used on Nigerian roads.

He said that if imported cars were checked and maintained properly, the high mortality rate that accompanies the country would be reduced.

“The transport system in Nigeria has remained archaic to such an extent that there is no enforceable policy on the safety of road users.
“Some roads, especially in the states, are built to the same design as our old colonial masters.
“The legal framework to regulate road transport operations is non-existent or obsolete where it exists.

“The various extortions of people on the roads reduce the income of the owners of transport and subject drivers to degrees of trauma that affect the safety of lives on the roads,” he said.

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Nnadi urged the Federal Government to partner with private organizations to tackle the prevalence of road accidents in Nigeria.

He said it was important to establish a road safety fund at all levels of government and to use the fund for road safety campaigns, road repairs, driver training, vehicle inspection, motorcycle patrol and the welfare of operators in the transport sector. .

The executive director called on companies with heavy transport vehicles to support the financing of transit and road safety to reduce the current rate of deaths and injuries in the country. (NAN)