KASSAROTA Seeks Collaboration with NUPENG to Improve Road Safety in Katsina
By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | March 10, 2026
The Katsina State Safety and Road Traffic Authority has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration with tanker drivers to enhance road safety and traffic management across Katsina State.
The Director-General of KASSAROTA, Garba Yahaya Rimi, led a delegation from the agency on a courtesy visit to the Katsina Zonal Office of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers located along Kano Road in Katsina on Tuesday.
The visit aimed to foster mutual understanding, promote cooperation, and discuss practical measures to address challenges involving tanker drivers in the state.
Members of the KASSAROTA delegation included the agency’s Secretary, Al’amin Batsari; Acting Head of Operations, Salisu; and the Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Marwana, among others. They were received by the Secretary of NUPENG in Katsina, Muhammadu Bello Ismail, who represented the union’s chairman.
Speaking during the meeting, Rimi said the visit was part of efforts by the agency to build a strong working relationship with the union in implementing initiatives aimed at protecting lives and property while also improving the welfare and safety of drivers.
He commended tanker drivers operating in Katsina State for their discipline and adherence to traffic regulations, noting that their conduct stands out compared to what is obtainable in some other states.
“I previously headed a similar agency in Kaduna State, where we encountered numerous operational challenges. Since arriving in Katsina, however, we have not experienced such difficulties,” Rimi said, assuring the union of the agency’s readiness to work closely with it in safeguarding lives and property.
He further disclosed that KASSAROTA, with the support of the Katsina State Government, is developing a modern digital database system for vehicle identification and documentation. According to him, the agency will consult stakeholders, including NUPENG, for further input once the project is completed.
In his remarks, the NUPENG Secretary, Muhammadu Bello Ismail, expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged the union’s support for initiatives that promote public safety and development.
However, he raised concerns over the poor condition of major highways across Northern Nigeria, describing it as a significant challenge for heavy-duty vehicle drivers.
According to him, the deteriorating state of federal roads and inadequate maintenance by relevant authorities are among the major causes of frequent road accidents involving heavy trucks.
He nevertheless commended the Katsina State Government under the leadership of Dikko Umaru Radda for ongoing road expansion projects within the state.
Ismail noted that most of the difficulties faced by tanker drivers occur on federal highways, particularly the major route used by drivers transporting petroleum products from Lagos to Northern Nigeria.
“Currently, tanker drivers conveying fuel from Lagos to the North rely largely on a single route, which is in poor condition and often causes severe traffic congestion. Some drivers spend more than three days stranded before they can continue their journey,” he said.
Other NUPENG officials who spoke during the meeting included the Deputy Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch, Idris Ibrahim, and the union’s Auditor in Katsina, Alhaji Ahmadu Alfa.
The meeting concluded with both KASSAROTA and NUPENG reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration aimed at improving road safety and addressing operational challenges affecting tanker drivers in Katsina State.
