By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have expressed their readiness towards the development of Truck Transit Parks (TTP) across the country.
A Truck Transit Park (TTP) is a public rest area located off the road, designed to provide temporary rest location for drivers. It is intended primarily, for short and long breaks/parking services with facilities like-Restroom, Restaurants, mechanic workshops, hotel, hostel, gas station, fire stations, police post, weigh bridges, Truck spare parts market and automated cargo tracking system etc.
In a keynote address, Director, Inland Dry Ports, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Akin Makinde, who ably represented the Secretary/CEO, NSC, stated that the project is being done with all relevant stakeholders across Nigeria.
According to him, the non availability of truck transit parks contributes to road traffic crashes, pointing out that when there is the availability of these parks, road crashes will reduce to the barest minimum because there will be no illegal parking on the roads anymore which is as a result of no parking space for them to park.
He also said the main objective and anticipated benefits of the TTP, is to promote safety and security of cargoes and haulage vehicles while on transit.
The Director added that it will also reduce pilferage and theft of cargoes while in transit. “It will also afford cargo owners to monitor their cargoes through a cargo tracking system which will be located in respective TTPs and it will improve transit trade with land locked neighbouring countries.”
While giving a lecture on “Improving Road Safety in Haulage Operations Through Truck Transit Scheme (TTS)”, ACM Uwenkolo, who represented the Corp Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, said that, as a build up in the establishment of Truck Transit Park TTP across the country, the Nigerian (NSC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has signed a memorandum of understanding MOU on trucks management and regulations.
He said Road Transportation is the dominant mode of transportation owing to the challenges that the rail system, restricted water way and expensive air travel has posed to the sector. In Nigeria, Road Transportation accounts for about 85% of freight movement, he said.
