From John Adams, Minna
Niger Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has assented to the laws establishing the Agency for Vehicle Administration and Agency for Traffic Management in the state.
The governor said the need to establish the law was informed by the growing security challenges bedevilling the state.
At a brief ceremony at the Government House in Minna, yesterday, the governor said the motor vehicle agency was mandated to register motor vehicles, issue and renew motor vehicle licenses as well as issue road worthiness certificate.
He said unregistered vehicles and motorcycles have constituted a security risk in the state in recent time, adding that with the laws, every vehicles and motorcycles must be properly registered.
Governor Bello disclosed that the traffic management agency is to ensure general superintendence and management of the road and waterway traffic matters, deter and apprehend road traffic and waterway offenders as well as establish and maintain traffic information and control centre.
He described the two laws assented to as epochal because they have far-reaching implication on the present security situation in the state, stressing that government is approaching the security challenges holistically.
The agencies, he said, when established, will ensure safe transportation for the people, enhance revenue generation for government and create avenue for youth employment in the state.
He assured the people that the agencies, whose activities will cover the entire state, will be provided with the enabling environment and necessary logistics such as vehicles and digitalised equipment to support their operations.
The governor applauded the state House oh Assembly for the timely passage of the bills into law and reiterated his administration’s resolve to a genuine partnership with the legislature.