The Katsina State Safety and Road Traffic Authority (KASSAROTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with associations of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators across the state for improved traffic management and public safety.
The Secretary of the Authority, Aminu Lawal Batsari, who spoke on behalf of the Director General, Major Garba Yahaya Rimi (rtd), made this known while addressing representatives of the associations during a meeting held at the authority’s headquarters in Katsina.
This was contained in a press release issued to newsmen in Katsina by the Public Relations Officer of the authority, Abubakar Marwana Kofar Sauri.
According to the release, the Secretary emphasized that the authority will continue to work closely with the associations to ensure orderliness and discipline among road users. He disclosed that KASSAROTA is developing a comprehensive database of all commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders in the state to aid proper identification and enhance security.
Aminu Lawal Batsari stated that the database will help the authority distinguish between genuine commercial riders and private users, and also assist in identifying stolen motorcycles. He noted that KASSAROTA will intensify training and retraining programmes for its officers to improve professionalism and service delivery.
He urged members of the associations to avoid confrontations with KASSAROTA officials and report any grievances through proper channels, assuring that all complaints from the unions would be duly addressed.
Also speaking the State Commandant of KASSAROTA, Dahiru Mani Bagiwa, described the responsibilities of both the authority and the associations as community-oriented, stressing that cooperation is essential to achieving shared goals of safer and more organized road transport operations.
He called on the associations to always approach the leadership of the authority whenever issues arise with any of its officers, to allow for fair and appropriate action.
Earlier speaking the Chairman of the Katsina State Commercial Motorcycle Operators Association, Alhaji Musa Umar, explained that the associations have been engaging in regular consultations with KASSAROTA to maintain a cordial working relationship.
He noted that after some misunderstandings between members and officials of the authority, both sides agreed on new measures to strengthen understanding and cooperation.
He called on members to remain law-abiding and to continue complying with traffic rules and regulations.
He also appealed to KASSAROTA to always give listening ears to the associations whenever complaints are presented, assuring readiness to hand over any erring member to the authority when necessary.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Tricycle Operators Association, Alhaji Jamilu Isiyaku, advised that KASSAROTA personnel should continue to discharge their duties in accordance with established rules and with fairness to all. He stressed the need for offenders to be penalized proportionately to their offences without excesses and requested that new policies and regulations be communicated to the leadership of the associations for onward sensitization of members.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from both KASSAROTA and the associations to promote discipline, unity, and public safety on all roads across Katsina State.
