National Action Plan for Haulage Operation in Nigeria: FRSC on Implementation Course
By Ranmilowo Ojalumo
It is no longer news that the spate of trucks and articulated vehicles crashes in Nigeria is not abating; instead, it has been soaring in past few years, resulting in loss of many lives and property worth billions.
Concerned with the spate of road traffic crashes involving haulage and other related vehicles in the country, the Federal Government through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha called a meeting of relevant stakeholders on haulage operators on Monday, 9th July 2018 at the Conference Hall of the SGF at ShehuShagari Office Complex Office, Abuja.
The essence of the meeting in July 2028 was to discuss a way forward to reduce if not ending articulated vehicles crashes on the Nigeria roads.
The July 9th, 2018 meeting had in attendance all critical stakeholders from private sector and government organizations including the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transportation, Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety as well as Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. BoboyeOyeyemi.
Other stakeholders that attended the meeting were the representative of the Inspector General of Police, heads of various transport related agencies, transport unions and petroleum industry.
At the end of the meeting, plan of action capable of addressing the menace and binding on all members was adopted. The plan was christened “National Action Plan for Haulage Operation in Nigeria”. The National Action Plan stipulated mandatory compliance with certain provisions to ensure safe haulage operations in the country
The Forum resolved that mandatory certification of all haulage vehicles be carried out twice in twelve calendar months, while importation of haulage vehicles exceeding ten years from date of manufacture would be stopped with effect from 1st January, 2020. The meeting further resolved that standard speed limiters should be installed on all haulage vehicles in Nigeria, while trailers without safety valves and the required number plates would henceforth be disallowed from loading.
The meeting resolved further that the Safe-To- Load programme would continue to be enforced by relevant agencies at all loading points and Department of Petroleum (DPR) and that FRSC and other relevant agencies should immediately harmonize operating safety requirements at all Tank Farms.
The forum also resolved that periodic checks of haulage vehicles should be carried out at all relevant loading points, while payment of National Transportation Allowances (NTA) and bridging claims to tanker operators would henceforth be contingent on compliance to minimum safety standards.
The Forum also resolved that single operators of haulage vehicles must be duly registered with National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO and should comply with the provisions of Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS).
Also, the meeting resolved that the FRSC should establish appropriate command and control centers to monitor and ensure safety on the highways and that continuous public enlightenment with other relevant stakeholders should be conducted at all loading points of haulage vehicles and their Rest Areas. The Forum further resolved that Federal Highways (Control of Dimensions, Weights and Axle Load of Heavy Duty Goods Transport Vehicles) Regulations, 2018 will be enforced.
In addition, the Forum adopted the resolution that Government will work closely with the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions towards the establishment of a Fleet Acquisition Renewal Scheme for haulage operators and that haulage vehicle conveying hazardous materials must be clearly labeled in conformity with the Highway Code.
The Forum conclusively endorsed the convocation of bi-annual meetings in order to sustain government engagement with stakeholders to exchange ideas and share information for the sustenance of safer road management in the country.
As laudable as the plan looks to many stakeholders, since then, nothing serious appeared to have happened with regard to the implementation of the said plan as agreed at the July 9th, 2018 meeting. Recent development has however show that the government appears to be ready for implementation of the plan.
In order to ensure adequate coordination on implementation of this Action Plan, FRSC- Corps Transport Standardization Office held a virtual interface with haulage operators recently, and acquaintstakeholders in the sector with detailed guidance for adequate and timely compliance to the action plan.
As of the time of this report, timeline has already been set for implementation of the plans.During the virtual interface, the head Corps Transport Standardization Office of FRSC, Corps Commanders AbiodunAkinlade specifically explained to stakeholders the timelines for Implementation road map for enhanced haulage operations in the country.
Going by the timeline set for the implementation of the plan, the implementation of the first phase of the mandatory certification of all haulage vehicles, which is expected to be done twice in twelve calendar months is slated for March, 2021, while the second phase is scheduled for September, 2021.
The annual Drivers Certification is billed for January to March, 2021.Meanwhile, going by the timeline for the implementation of the plan, the Production of standard Road Transport Policy Manual, in consultation with FRSC is already due and it is expected to be submitted to FRSC between January and March, 2021.
Also in the timeline is the establishment of Safe-to-Load (Pre-Trip Inspection) Unit by all haulage operators in consultation with FRSC and this is expected to run from January to December.Installation of standard speed limiting device in all haulage vehicles with approved preset speed is also part of the plan which is expected to have been concluded. Confirmation by FRSC team on Phase II of Certification of the installation is scheduled for September, 2021.
Another important element of the plan is the certification of Fleet Managers, Safety Managers and Transport Officers. This will be done in liaison with FRSC by CMAN and other relevant Associations and Unions Certification. The first Phase of the certification is scheduled for March, 2021 while the second phase is scheduled for September, 2021.
Also included in plan timeline is Conduct of annual medical tests for all drivers, which is billed for January to March, 2021; Quarterly drug/alcohol tests for all drivers is also expected to be carried out every quarter.
Other elements in the timeline includes Provision of rest points (transit parks) for drivers to park and rest while on transit which is expected to run from January to December; as well as establishment of a standard drivers recruitment policy with active involvement of the FRSC.
Others are Provision of weigh Bridge- January to December; Provision of tow trucks or active liaison with tow service operators for evacuation of broken down vehicles bridges;Provision of caution signs, reflective cones and metallic wedges/chocks.Confirmationby FRSCteam onPhase I ofCertification is slated for March, 2021, while Confirmation by FRSC team on Phase II of Certification is slated for September, 2021.
Similarly, organizations engaging Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) must ensurethat Logistics Service Providers are dulyregistered andensure that they are compliant with Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS). The schedule is also mandating immediate notification of Logistics Service Providers to subscribe to the RTSSS and prepare for certification or quit lifting organization’s products.
While speaking during a virtual interface with haulage operators recently, the head Corps Transport Standardization Office of FRSC, Corps Commanders AbiodunAkinlade said it is compulsory for all fleet operators to key into the RTSSS, saying that is the first step to register for fleet operation to enhance regulation.
“If you don’t register under RTSSS as a fleet operator, we can’t regulate your activities. I must also say that there are a lot of opportunities and benefits for operators that register on RTSSS.So if you have not register as an operator, go and register now because it is compulsory.
He however told Haulage & Logistics Magazine that heavy penalties await operators that defile the set plans, adding that with the commencement of enforcement, there is no sacred cow.
