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Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, has described the road transport sector, which he heads, as "a total mess".
He said the sector requires a total overhaul to return it to a state of normalcy.
"I am in trouble as everyone is pointing fingers at me saying I am sleeping on the job," he said.
The minister, however, said he was not entirely responsible for the disorganised sector, blaming the traffic police and Ministry of Roads for the increased road carnage.
Mwakwere, who was addressing a workshop on road safety in Nairobi on Tuesday, said his ministry was working on ways to make road transport cheaper, safer, efficient and reliable.
The workshop was organised by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and it brought together officials from the Roads and Transport ministries, Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit and the Traffic Department.
Transport Permanent Secretary, Mr Gerrishon Ikiara, and KAM chairman, Mr Steven Smith, attended the workshop.
But Mwakwere said he was happy with the sea and air transport. He said his ministry was often solely blamed for the chaos on the roads.
"I am not responsible for the potholes and I don’t test the competence of drivers," he added.
He said his ministry was mainly responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of traffic regulations.
The minister told the workshop that the way forward was to identify areas of weakness in the sector. He further said his ministry was in the process of introducing legislation and amendment to the Traffic Act to improve road safety.
He noted that the management of road transport system was a monumental undertaking requiring collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
Mwakwere said the Integrated National Transport Policy was ready and awaiting ratification by Parliament.
"We have also embarked on efforts to revitalise the National Road Safety Council," added the minister.
He said the ministry intended to decentralise the activities of the Transport Licensing Board to have the issuance of licenses done at expiry dates rather than at the end of the year.
The East African Standard, April 4, 2007
Story by Allan Kisia
He said the sector requires a total overhaul to return it to a state of normalcy.
"I am in trouble as everyone is pointing fingers at me saying I am sleeping on the job," he said.
The minister, however, said he was not entirely responsible for the disorganised sector, blaming the traffic police and Ministry of Roads for the increased road carnage.
Mwakwere, who was addressing a workshop on road safety in Nairobi on Tuesday, said his ministry was working on ways to make road transport cheaper, safer, efficient and reliable.
The workshop was organised by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and it brought together officials from the Roads and Transport ministries, Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit and the Traffic Department.
Transport Permanent Secretary, Mr Gerrishon Ikiara, and KAM chairman, Mr Steven Smith, attended the workshop.
But Mwakwere said he was happy with the sea and air transport. He said his ministry was often solely blamed for the chaos on the roads.
"I am not responsible for the potholes and I don’t test the competence of drivers," he added.
He said his ministry was mainly responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of traffic regulations.
The minister told the workshop that the way forward was to identify areas of weakness in the sector. He further said his ministry was in the process of introducing legislation and amendment to the Traffic Act to improve road safety.
He noted that the management of road transport system was a monumental undertaking requiring collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
Mwakwere said the Integrated National Transport Policy was ready and awaiting ratification by Parliament.
"We have also embarked on efforts to revitalise the National Road Safety Council," added the minister.
He said the ministry intended to decentralise the activities of the Transport Licensing Board to have the issuance of licenses done at expiry dates rather than at the end of the year.
The East African Standard, April 4, 2007
Story by Allan Kisia
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