From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
In a bid to ensure proper use of roads signs, safety by commercial and private drivers, the Anambra State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Rotary Club International, District 9142 have organised a one day seminar titled Training/Retraining Programme for Commercial Drivers and Riders in the state.
The training held on Tuesday, 24th Feb, 2026 at the HOS Hall, Ministry of Transport, Jerome Udoji Secretariat complex, Awka had in attendance officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), Tricycle owners Association of Nigeria, Anambra (TOAN), Vehicle Inspection Officers and other articulated road users.
In his welcome remarks, Commissioner for Transport, Hon Patricia Igwebuike disclosed that the essence of the training was to bring together all road users, private and public drivers, Keke drivers and all articulated drivers for public enlightenment. “The training is for them to know how to behave on the road and how to be safe as well as the safety of the public with important information relating to road signs.”
Filing question from the state of roads in the state, the Hon Commissioner assured that Mr Governor is doing everything possible to see that we have zero potholes within the state
Representing the district Governor of Rotaract 1942, Rotr Kelechi Anyawu Roterian, Rotract Valentine Okaudu of the Rotary club of Awka said the training is part of Rotarty’s civic responsibility to ensure we partner with the state government in ensuring a safety driving skills. “For the past few years we have been organising this kind of programme and we here in Anambra, our target is to support the effort of the state government in ensuring that our roads are safer, how do we do this by ensuring that we give proper training to our drivers and riders. As we may know in our current world today, those who are ignorant are those who have refused to the right thing.”
He noted that there is new knowledge everywhere and if you bank on yourself, you find yourself lagging behind from what is happening. One has to keep training people because people have to get knowledge for what is on board and be able to adapt to changing circumstances”.
Earlier in his remark, Commissioner for Information, Hon Dr Law Mefor noted that this kind of workshop cannot be over emphasied as it is vital for our daily lives and activites. “Transportation sector is very key and we must take it seriously to protect out lives and properties. So i encourage road users follow due processes as well as rules and regulations guiding driving in the state.”
Chairman Triycylce Owners Association of Nigeria, Awka zone, Hon prince Collins Ozojiofor stated that the training is a welcome development by the Rotary and the Ministry for finding it worthy on how to operate bearing in mind the rules of driving within the state.
While advising road users and keke riders in particular to always ensure that proper vehicle documents are in place with, urged the state government to repair potholes where available in the state and maintain proper toad signs for these road users to be able to ply safely.
Meanwhile, some of the topics discussed were, key Road Traffic Laws and Regulations in Anambra state, Ensuring Roadworthiness of your vehicles – inspection and maintenance, Rider Licensing/Certification in Anambra state, Proper Usage, Proper use of roads and for protection of lives and properties, among others.
