The Nigerian Senate in a motion moved by Senator Umari Kurfi moved a motion for the Senate to make it difficult for someone that cannot read, write and communicate effectively in the English language to be issued a drivers license. This according to him, is to promote literacy amongst drivers in Nigeria.
There was also deliberation on the way and manner drivers license is being issued to anybody, as long as that person can pay the stipulated amount, without even meeting the requirements.
This according to the Senate President has led to so many deaths on Nigerian roads, as many of the drivers who hold this licenses are not fit and proper to be drivers and they are being issued drivers license.
After celebration on the bill, the Senate came to the resolution that:
I. Mandate the Committee on Transportation to summon the Government establishments and other stakeholders responsible for safety on our roads to ensure that drivers employed in any capacity at all must possess the necessary in addition to being able to read, write and communicate effectively in English language; and
II. Make driving schools mandatory by establishing same in every state with short term courses for every prospective driver.
Senator Saraki while thanking Senator Umari for the bill, said:
Distinguished colleagues let me thank Senator Umaru for his motion, I think the key issue here is for the relevant Federal Road safety and vehicle inspection officers to do the right thing and ensure that we fight corruption here
Licenses must be obtained by going through the normal test that is required. What we are seeing now is corruption and not following due process. The effect of that is people are losing lives. People must see that they have a responsibility in ensuring that people go through the right process is very important because lives are lost when we have drivers that are not capable or do not have the necessary qualifications.
The challenge is to those responsible for this and our Committee on Transport should provide their oversight and ensure that Road Safety and Vehicle inspection offices carry out the necessary work.