NLC seeks increased training of drivers to tackle carnage 

• PENGASSAN urges security agencies to change strategies
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for adequate training of drivers in the country to prevent unnecessary carnage on the roads.

While expressing sadness over the tragic fuel tanker accident that caused nine deaths and many sustaining various degrees of injury, Congress President, Ayuba Wabba commiserated with the government of Lagos State over the sad incident.

Wabba, who decried the magnitude of loss of lives and destruction of property, also expressed Congress heart-felt condolences to the victims and families of the deceased, posited that the unfortunate incident was an avoidable accident, given the circumstances .

Congress therefore called for higher driver-education and more strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, especially with regard to parking of vehicles with inflammables.

He also observed: “We also note with concern, the reckless culture of driving in Lagos in spite of the great effort by the state government to ensure a culture of sanity on the roads. If these were observed, we would not have been thrown into this level of grief or mourning.

It urged the Lagos State Government not to relent in ensuring that utmost discipline is maintained not only on its roads but also on all the roads that run across the state.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has bemoaned the continued wanton and ruthless killing of innocent Nigerians across the country by armed bandits and marauders.

The union commiserated with the families of the victims, the people and government of Plateau State, which is the latest of such incidents with the killing of over 100 people.

PENGASSAN also frowned at the statement by a spokesman Meyatti Allah that the killings were in response to rustling of about 100 cattle in the area, saying, “this is not an excuse for lawlessness in a country that has government and security apparatus to handle issues.”

PENGASSAN noted that the security agencies, especially the police seem helpless in the face of the mindless and unprovocative killing of innocent Nigerians.

It said: “We therefore call for more recruitment into all arms of the Security Agencies, including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and also advise the Security Agencies to review their strategies to put an end to thekilling.