Delta — Information Minister Labaran Maku has said that training and certification of commercial bus drivers across the country is necessary to reduce the spate of accidents on the roads.

Maku, who spoke when the National Good Governance Tour team visited the Delta city bus terminal, blamed recklessness for most road accidents. He maintained that drivers must be thoroughly assessed and trained to ensure safety at all times.

The state commissioner for transport Benson Igbakpa, told the team that the state is subsidising transport fares, just as it is providing free transport services to school children.

Meanwhile, the Delta State government has acquired 130 motorized boats in its bid to alleviate poverty and to address transportation needs across its coastline.

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan told the team that as criteria to acquire a boat, interested persons must join a cooperative, pay some token and provide guarantors. "They provide guarantors, pay some token and make returns with which we acquire more boats. A monitoring scheme has also been put in place to track usage and plying of routes," he said.