Freight hauliers to introduce insurance cover for goods, drivers in transit

The National Freight Hauliers Association (NFHA) on Saturday said that it will introduce insurance cover for freight-on-transit, freight vehicles as well as their drivers and operators.

The National President of NFHA, Chief Jackson Bent, disclosed this in Abuja at the association’s end of year meeting and inauguration of its 2017 National Harmonised Emblem for “Goods only trucks’’.

The association also launched the 2017 Certificate of National Coverage which was endorsed by the National Freight Haulage and the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Bent said the introduction of insurance cover had become necessary because the freight industry “is confronted with increasing challenges in moving goods across the nation’s highways.

“NFHA is prepared to work closely with the Police, FRSC and other stakeholders on modern technology and proper techno-methodology by using the competence of our Accident Control Unit corps.”

He said the launch of the emblem would enable the body to generate “funds for the proper and meaningful execution of our aims and objectives’’.

Bent, who was assisted in the unveiling of the emblem by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Shippers’ Council and the Police, prayed God to ensure the success of the Permit and Certificate.

“Permit me to illustrate what this launching represents. We in NFHA are convinced with the fact that there is an intricate link between the freight sector and the economy of the country.

”I am, therefore, confident that with the reform programmes that we have embarked on, the NFHA will continue to create the enabling environment for the transport sector to develop and for safety in the freight haulage business in the country,’’ he said.

The NFHA national president said the association would continue to provide viable and quality services for the development of freight haulage transportation.

“Since its formation in 2001, the association has provided reliable and up-to-date database in the freight sector.

“This singular act has assisted NFHA in the development and implementation of government policies in a number of areas, especially the resuscitation of the railway.

“Another important effort is the discouragement instilled in truck drivers from parking their vehicles by the roadside, particularly in the cities.

“Furthermore, now that there is the ongoing evolution of regulatory policy for the road freight transport industry globally, Nigeria should not be left behind,’’ he stated.

Bent stated that he is convinced that since 2002, the association has helped to effect considerable changes in freight haulage in the country.

“We have fostered, enhanced, promoted, and strengthened the bond of unity and spirit of brotherhood amongst freight hauliers, goods transporters, haulage professionals, operators, and freight drivers.

“Recently, NFHA embarked on an exercise of uniting all stakeholders in the freight haulage industry throughout Nigeria by sending the right officers to go round the country.

“This action was an indication of the fact that the unity and prosperity of hauliers and the safety of the goods and drivers or operators in transit were of paramount importance to the association,’’ he said.