Dependable Vehicular Safety Will Enhance National Security – Vice Chancellor

The vice chancellor, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, Prof Shedrack Best, has advocated for a safe, reliable, dependable vehicular safety and effective management system to enhance national security.

Prof. Best stated this in a keynote address presented at the National Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers (VIOs) of the Federation, holding at Steffan Hotel and Suites, Rayfield, Jos.

According to him, a secure nation is free from vulnerability to harm, injury, internal and external sabotage and aggression, and vices like poverty, hunger, and lack of freedom. It can utilise its resources for different forms of development.

“A secure nation is on top of its traffic and vehicular system, one that integrates basic data about its vehicles, its vehicle owners and drivers, and other basic security information about them.”

He also maintained that vehicles are not just neutral machines but have increasingly become targets of crime and criminals and instruments of crime.

“Thieves, terrorists, robbers, kidnappers, drug gangs and cross-border criminals perpetrate their acts with vehicles. If these vehicles are effectively documented and monitored, the enterprise of these criminals will become more difficult.

He further stressed, “If vehicles can be associated with crime and criminals and used to trace them, then that’s better for the security architecture.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Jatau, said Governor Caleb Mutfwang has demonstrated exceptional commitment to transforming the road transport sector.

Jatau further said that under his visionary leadership, several strategic strides have been made to modernize and improve transportation management, including the rehabilitation and construction of key road networks, facilitating the safer and faster movement of people and goods across the state.

In the same vein, the national chairman Conference of Directors and Chief Roads Traffic Officers of the Federation, Engr. Paul explained that the theme of this year  “Enhancing National Security and Road Traffic Safety Through Effective Motor Vehicle Administration”is both timely and strategic to navigate complex challenges of road traffic safety, vehicle regulation, and public security.

He pointed out that a country’s ability to identify, track, and regulate vehicles and drivers directly affects its capacity to safeguard lives, protect property, and enforce laws.