The Plateau State Government has raised alarm over the increasing involvement of underage children in the operation of commercial tricycles and motor vehicles across the state.
The Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, disclosed this during an emergency meeting with transport unions and tricycle operators in Jos, where he ordered the immediate enforcement of statutory driving-age limits.
Jatau said the issue was part of wider compliance challenges confronting the state’s transport sector, alongside the government’s estimate that about 80 per cent of vehicles were operating without valid documentation.
“We are also concerned about the increasing number of underage children operating commercial tricycles and motor vehicles,” the commissioner said.
“Statutory driving age limits must be enforced immediately,” he added.
Under Nigeria’s National Road Traffic Regulations, it is an offence for a person below 18 years to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle on a public road. The regulations also provide that a person under 18 is disqualified from obtaining a learner’s permit or driver’s licence for a motor vehicle.
Plateau’s own traffic-offence schedule also lists driving by a person under 18 as an offence, with penalties including a fine and possible impoundment of the vehicle.
The concern is particularly significant in commercial transport, where young drivers are carrying passengers for a livelihood. The state’s transport management system says its objective includes improving road safety and maintaining standards while providing a database of operators and drivers.
The commissioner therefore directed relevant authorities to begin immediate enforcement of the age requirements, making the issue part of the ministry’s wider effort to improve compliance and road safety.
The government’s position also raises the question of responsibility among vehicle owners and operators who allow minors to take control of commercial vehicles.
Effective enforcement would therefore require attention not only to the young drivers but also to those who provide them with vehicles and allow them to operate commercially.
The development comes amid wider tensions between transport operators and VIO officials in Jos.
The government has since suspended VIO operations from September 21 to 27 to allow a review and restructuring of the directorate, while introducing a complaint mechanism and mandatory monthly engagements with transport unions.
