ANAMBRA STATE GOVT TRAINS DRIVERS ON ROAD SAFETY REGULATIONS; TASK THEM ON PROFESSIONALISM

The Anambra State Government through the Office of the Head of Service has concluded the first batch of 2026 Anambra Human Resources Development Week, with the training of drivers on road safety regulations as one of the highpoints.

The week-long exercise ended on June 3, 2026 at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex, Awka, with a charge to drivers to prioritize safety and professionalism while on duty.

In her opening remarks at the drivers’ training session, the Head of Service, Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, Esq., mni, said Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration places a high premium on safety and professionalism in the public service.

“Drivers convey top government officials and citizens daily, so compliance with traffic rules is non-negotiable,” she said.

Speaking on etiquette, the HOS addressed the drivers on personal hygiene and self-care. She further emphasized the need for cleanliness and the need to stay healthy in body and mind. She also warned against flippancy, which she described as capable of spreading falsehood about one’s principal.

The civil service boss also cautioned drivers not to allow themselves to be used for intelligence gathering by criminals, no matter how harmless the information may seem, noting that in the event of any attack on the principal, the driver remains the first suspect.

“You must confine yourself to your job description and avoid poking your nose into the actions of the principal. Again, do not envy whatever extra benefits your colleagues are receiving, as there is no basis for such comparisons,” the HOS said.

She further highlighted good manners in speech, appearance, and conduct, noting that such qualities embody the true personality of a professional driver.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Anambra State Command, took the drivers through defensive driving techniques, vehicle maintenance, and accident/crash prevention.

Chief Route Commander Ihediorah Ezeala spoke on the need for an excellent vehicle maintenance culture, describing it as one of the most common but essential practices to avoid endangering one’s life and that of other road users. He proposed the use of a logbook to record each vehicle’s maintenance history.

The Command’s Sector Public Enlightenment Officer, Superintendent Commander Ifeanyi Eke, described defensive driving as total compliance with driving rules, including speed limits, and urged the drivers to always observe road safety regulations.

Route Commander Okolonji trained the drivers on the dangers of distraction while driving, describing it as one of the major causes of road crashes.

“Driving should be given maximum attention at all times and must be seen as a noble profession, while avoiding activities such as eating, the use of phones and other gadgets while driving,” Okolonji said.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Anambra State Coordinating Council of Technical Workers Association, ANSCCTWA, Mr. Echezona Daniel, thanked the Head of Service for organizing the productive programme to improve their lives.

He requested life insurance programmes to cushion the effects of the unforeseen faced by drivers, citing the recent case of a driver who lost his life in the line of duty.

Mr. Echezona also appealed for prerequisite training for drivers eligible for conversion at grade level 8, noting that the last exercise was held over two years ago.

The highpoint of the event was a closing remark by the Head of Service, where she expressed profound gratitude to the College of Permanent Secretaries for their financial and intellectual support towards the success of the one-week training.

She also thanked the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma C Soludo, CFR, for his commitment towards workers’ welfare.

MaryAnn writes from the Office of the Head of Service, Anambra State.