The Muhammadu-Buhari-led federal government wants the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to help the administration tackle rising insecurity.
Information minister Lai Mohammed, on Thursday, made this call at the 9th Quadrennial Conference of the NURTW in Abuja.
Mohammed also stated the need for NURTW members to shun thuggery and drug abuse.
“Let me use this important occasion to once again call on you to support this government as it evolves innovative measures to tackle the challenge of insecurity on our roads,” Mohammed, according to a statement released by his media aide Segun Adeyemi, said.
”The union can specifically support the government in the fight against insecurity by providing timely information to the security agencies, particularly on all the black spots on the nation’s highways.
“Whether on intra or inter-state journey, your members crisscross the length and breadth of this vast nation and, collectively, have great access to information that can help to make our roads safer.
“As government continues to frontally tackle the menace of insecurity, it is incumbent on all of us to collaborate in order to address the kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of insecurity on our roads.
“The security agencies are adopting creative ways, including the deployment of technology, to stem the tide of insecurity on the highways” Mohammed said.
The minister also stressed that President Buhari’s is making NURTW’s job easier by improving Nigerian roads.
“The government is investing massively in the provision of critical infrastructure to enable you to discharge your duties effectively and efficiently,” Mohammed said.
“As a matter of fact, no government has invested more in infrastructural development than the Buhari Administration.
“As I speak, there is at least one federal road under construction in each of the country’s 36 states and the federal capital territory,” the minister said.
Mohammed added that the setting up of the $650 million Presidential Infrastructure Fund is aimed at accelerating the ongoing construction work on the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, East-West Road, Abuja-Kano Expressway and the Mambilla Hydro-electric Project.
“There is no better demonstration of President Buhari’s commitment to deliver on critical infrastructure across the country,” Mohammed said.
The minister also tasked members of the NURTW to always ensure the safety of their passengers by obeying all traffic rules and regulations, shunning drug abuse and thuggery.