By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta – The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the FRSC to extend the deadline for the installation of the speed limiting device in commercial vehicles.
Alhaji Haruna Adekunjo, the Chairman of NURTW, Kuto branch, Abeokuta, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.
NAN reports that the deadline for the installation of the device is Wednesday.
Adekunjo appealed to the FRSC for an extension, saying that the present economic situation in the country had prevented members of the union in the state from getting the device.
He urged the government to extend the deadline to June, saying this would enable members of the union to get the device.
“They should give us between now and June, we are ready to encourage our members to get the device.
“With the economic meltdown, if the speed limiter is sold at a higher price, it won’t be possible for people to meet up.
“They should extend the time and also give the job to competent agents, none of our members has gotten it for now because there is no money for people to buy it.
“Getting a new tyre is very expensive, all parts of vehicle are very expensive, we are not prepared at all, they should still exercise patience with us,” he said.
Adekunjo called for the selling of the device at the cost of the N10,000 to enable them obtain them.
“The FRSC should consider the less privilege as most of us buy our vehicles on instalmental basis. There is also the challenge of buying new tyres, service the engine under this current economic situation; everyone is lamenting,” he said.
Mr Kunle Ibraheem, a transporter, also called for extension of the deadline, saying that the FRSC needed to consider the current hardship in the country.
Ibraheem said that the device should be made available at various parks at an affordable rate.
But reacting to the NURTW’s plea, Mr Clement Oladele, the FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, said that there was no going back on the enforcement date.
Oladele explained that the command had on several occasions engaged stakeholders in the transportation industry in the state on the need to install the speed limiter on their vehicles.
He noted that the installation of the device would eradicate speed related road traffic crashes across the country.
“We have written the state government, the Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly and even the Chief Judge seeking their cooperation.
“We are ready for enforcement on Wednesday, they can still go ahead and get the device between now and the enforcement date.
“For them to be telling you that they want extension; who is going to extend it?
”My own is to enforce it, it’s a presidential directive, I appeal to them to go and get it; it is for their own good.
“It will definitely reduce the rate of road traffic crashes on our highways,” he said.