Douala: Automobile training centre inaugurated to enhance inspection of vehicles.

The official opening of the training centre called DB Consulting Training Centre, was under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport. It was also attended by officials in the city of Douala.

The opening of the centre, it was said, will mark a significant advancement in the training of automobile technical controllers. The centre is designed to provide training that meets international standards, reflecting a comprehensive reform initiated by the Ministry of Transport.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Dr Mbamome Divine, Director of Road Transport at the Ministry Transport, who represented the Minister of Transport Jean Earnest Masena Ngalle Bibehe. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Mbamome emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader programme aimed at evaluating and enhancing the vehicle inspection systems in Cameroon, with the support of the World Bank and the International Technical Inspection Committee based in Geneva, Switzerland. 

"One of the key recommendations was to reform technical inspections and strengthen the skills of personnel involved in the technical control process," he stated.

To ensure that graduates from the centre are equipped with global competencies, the Ministry of Transport has developed a curriculum that adheres to international standards. 

The General Director of DB Consulting, Daniel Bibena, highlighted the centre's mission to provide high-quality training for automobile technical controllers. 

"Our goal is to ensure that Cameroon meets international standards in road safety. We will offer complementary training from foreign partners to elevate our local practices to a global scale," he explained.

The significance of the initiative is underscored by a tragic incident in 2017, where 117 lives were lost due to a poorly conducted vehicle inspection. 

Dr Mbamome recounted how a controller, lacking the necessary qualifications, had falsified a vehicle's brake system evaluation, leading to a catastrophic accident shortly after the inspection. This incident, he said, fueled the urgency for robust training programmes to prevent future tragedies.

By establishing a state-of-the-art training facility for automobile technical controllers, the Ministry of Transport aims not only to reduce the incidence of accidents, but also to position Cameroon as a leader in road safety standards.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3247 of Wednesday October 02, 2024