DWCN Calls for approval of National Drivers’ Day by 10th NASS, elevation of driving career
… Says Drivers contribute over 25% to the nation’s economy through Gas, Oil and Petrol consumption.
Oru Leonard
Drivers’ Welfare Club of Nigeria (DWCN), has called on the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu led administration and the 10th National Assembly to establish a public holiday that would be known as National Drivers’ Day.
The National President of Drivers welfare club of Nigeria, Comrade Monday Elimigbe who made the appeal while fielding questions from journalists at the launch of Drivers’ Biometric Database and Safety Manifest and 2023 Conference of Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria, also urged government to restructure and elevate driving profession like any others respected professions.
Comrade Elimigbe said the launch of Drivers’ Biometric Database and Safety Manifest aims at restructuring the driving profession in order to make them accountable, dignifying and create a welfare system that members can fall back at in retirement or in the event of permanent injury.
“Our mission is to become a global player in the transport industry. Our core values are focused on driver’s welfare, empowerment, integrity and professionalism, training and firm sanity on the roads. We do not compromise on professionalism and safe driving.
Drivers constitute over 25% of Nigeria working population as well as making them self-employed while contributing over 30% of the nation’s electorate but operates without a befitting Ultra-Modern Motor park and Terminals and welfare packages that make the profession nowadays to be unprofitable and stressful. In most cases, we are harassed and compelled to pay undue levies by Government agencies of various levels”.
He appealed to the military and paramilitary in the state to assist on this crusade of database registration to eradicate unethical behaviour of drivers in the country.
“We hereby solicit a joint taskforce of the relevant government agencies on this laudable project.
It was for these and other reasons that the DWCN decided to provide a comprehensive group national insurance cover for drivers, and also make arrangements to provide loans to enable those who are interested to purchase vehicles on hire-purchase and pay back at very affordable rates. We have also set-up a cooperative society to handle other issues relating to the welfare of drivers and members of their families”, Elimigbe explained.
He disclosed that DWCN is partnering with many Government agencies including the office of the Special Adviser to the president on Ethics and Value, Federal Road Safety Corps, The Nigerian Police Force, World Health Organisation (WHO), The Directorate of Road Services (VIO) and Local Government Councils in the Federation.
The Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria (DWCN), is a registered organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Ministry of Trade and Investment, solely to pursue the improvement of the welfare and image of Nigerian drivers who have suffered from societal stigma and deprivation as well as unhealthy conditions of service for several years without end.
