A bill for an act to provide for a law to protect commuters rights on Wednesday, scaled first reading at the House of Representatives.
This resolution followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Rep. Abdullahi Halims, the Deputy House Leader at plenary.
The bill is titled, “An Act to provide a framework for the promotion, protection, provision of safety, and enforcement of the rights and obligations of commercial commuters in Nigeria and for other related matters, 2023.”
While presenting the bill, Halims said that its objectives were to ensure that the safety, comfort, and rights of commuters were prioritized.
According to him, the bill sought to ensure that commuters’s rights and dignity were promoted and protected, stressing that it would ensure a national passenger protection plan.
“This will include insurance coverage for road, rail, and water transport,” he said.
He further stated that the bill would ensure that commercial transporters provide insurance coverage for their passengers.
“This will come through a subscription to premium insurance coverage that could facilitate making claims under the National Passengers Protection Plan.
“I once again solicit your support to allow the bill to be read a second time,” he said.