Siwes Report On Transportation
Siwes Report On Transportation
Siwes Report On Transportation
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Student Industrial Work Experience scheme (SIWES), also known as Industrial Training. It
is a compulsory skill training programme designed to expose and prepare students of Nigeria
Universities, Polytechnics, College of Education, College of Agriculture and College of
Technology, for the industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation.
SIWES introduction, initiation and design was done by the Industrial Training Fund in 1993 to
acquaint students with the skills of handling employer’s equipment and machinery. The Industrial
Training Fund solely funded the scheme during its formative years. However, due to financial
constraints, the fund withdrew the scheme in 1978.
Mafe (2009) affirmed that SIWES is also a planned and structured programme based on stated and
specific career objectives which are geared towards developing the occupational competencies of
participants. Consequently, the SIWES programme is a compulsory graduation requirement for all
Nigerian university students offering certain courses.
SIWES is the accepted training programme, which is part of the approved Minimum Academic
Standard in the various degree programmes for all Nigerian Universities. The scheme is aimed at
bridging the existing gap between theory and practice of Sciences, Agriculture, Medical Sciences
(including Nursing), Engineering and Technology, Management, and Information and
Communication Technology and other professional educational programmes in the Nigerian
tertiary institutions. It is aimed at exposing students to machines and equipment, professional work
areas and workers in industries, offices, laboratories, hospitals and other organizations.
Prior to establishing the Scheme industrialists and other employers of labour felt concerned that
graduates of Nigeria Universities were deficient in practical background studies preparatory for
employment in industries and other organizations. The employers thus concluded that the higher
institutions was not responsive to the needs of the employers of labour. Consequently, the rationale
for initiating and designing the scheme by the Industrial Training Funds ITF, in 1973.
The scheme is a tripartite programme involving the students, the universities and the employers of
labour. It is funded by the Federal Government and jointly coordinated by the Industrial Training
Funds (ITF) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
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1. To provide an avenue for students in the Nigerian universities to acquire industrial skills
and experience during their course of study;
2. To prepare students for the work situation they are likely to meet after graduation;
3. To expose the students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and
machinery that may not be available in their universities;
4. To allow the transition phase from school to the world of working environment easier and
facilitate students’ contact for the gap between theory and practice.
i. To provide adequate funds to the ITF through the Federal Ministry of Industry for the
scheme;
ii. To make it mandatory for all ministries, companies and parastatals to offer places to
students in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 47 of 1971 as amended in 1990;
i. Formulate policies and guidelines on SIWES for distribution to all the SIWES participating
bodies;
iv. Provide information on companies for attachment and assist in industrial placement of
student;
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vi. Accept and process Master and Placement lists from institutions and supervising agencies;
vii. Vet and process students’ log books and ITF Form 8.
ii. To vet and approve Master and Placement lists of students from participating institution
and forward same to ITF;
v. Participate in the Biennial SIWES conferences and seminars in conjunction with ITF.
The Institution
ii. Prepare and submit Master and Placement lists to the respective coordinating agency and
ITF
iv. Organize orientation programmes for students to prepare them for industrial training;
v. Supervise students on attachment and their logbooks. A minimum of three visits should be
made to the students by the institution’s supervisors during the period of attachment;
vi. Work out industrial tailor-made programme with the employers-based supervisor on the
National Training Guidelines for each course;
viii. Submit comprehensive reports on the scheme to the ITF after the programme.
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The Employers/Industry
iii. Attach experienced staff to students for effective training and supervision on a ratio of 1:10
(staff : students);
v. Provide medical care for students within he limit of employers conditions of service;
vi. Permit representatives of ITF and institutions’ based supervisors to visit the students on
attachment and;
vii. Grade students in the assessment Form and the ITF Form.
The Students
iii. Keep proper records of training activities and other assignments in the logbook;
v. Submit Log Books, Reports and other documents related to SIWES as required by heir
institution at the end of the training period;
vi. Submit to ITF through their institution, Evaluation Form (ITF Form 8) completed by the
students the employer and the institution;
vii. Avoid changing of place of attachment except in special circumstances and with and with
the permission of your Centre Director and SIWES Directorate.
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Duration of attachment for SIWES funding
The minimum duration for SIWES should normally be 24 weeks (6months) at a stretch. The period
is longer for engineering and technology programmes. The ITF will not pay any attachment period
that is less than 24 weeks. In most institutions, SIWES is done at the end of the 2nd semester
examination of either 300, 400, or 500 level. The time and duration will have to be worked out
jointly by each school and the directorate and the ITF.
The scheme has recorded tremendous achievement since its creation among which are:
It has helped student by exposing them to practical knowledge of things they were taught
in the class.
It has been able to restore student, making them assumed of their competence.
It has also help student get acquitted to the method of their various career.
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CHAPTER TWO
2.1 ABOUT MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION, OGUN STATE
It was established in year 2003 and vested with the provision and preserving road infrastructure
which includes marking of roads, installation of traffic signage and street furniture, signalization,
traffic studies, road traffic engineering designs and alignment. It is also responsible for the
formulation of transportation policy in the State. The administrative building is situated at
Parastatals Building II, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Barrister Gbenga Opesanwo is the Commissioner
for Transportation. While the Administrative head is Oshilaja O. V. (Mrs) (Director, Admin and
Supplies).
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Departments in the Ministry are as follow:
Departments Directors
1. Department of Administration and Mrs. O. V. Oshilaja
Supplies
2. Department of Finance and Accounts Mr. Basiru Sulaimon A
3. Department of Engineering and Safety Engr. I. Hassan
4. Department of Planning, Research and Engr. Akinleye Tosin
Statistics
5. Department of Mass Transit Engr. Alfred Oluwale Shokunbi
Inventory Control of all organization’s resources including but not limited to offices,
fixtures and fittings, vehicles etc.
Preparation of monthly bulk expenses of the monitoring Departments and Agencies for
disbursement by the Director, Finance and Accounts.
Procure and store all necessary resources (material machines etc.) in a transparent manner
and ensure their cost effective usage.
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2.1.2 Duties of Engineering and Safety department.
Design and installation/construction of transportation infrastructures
Pavement markings of major roads to enhance lane discipline and road users’ safety.
Traffic systems management in order to reduce delays and increase speed and reducing
journey time.
Design and installation of traffic control lights at major junctions and intersections.
Preparation of Budget
Advising the Accounting Officer and other Department Heads on financial matters and
technical provisions of financial regulation
Maintenance of proper books of accounts such as main and subsidiary ledgers, Cash Books,
DVEA, Personal Advances Ledger etc.
Ensuring prompt rendition of all Returns e.g. consolidated Accounts (monthly Transcripts),
Bank reconciliation stations, Revenue and Expenditure Returns as prescribed in financial
instruction.
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Reconciliation of Accounts.
Liaising with professional bodies e.g. Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Board of
Inland Revenue etc. on behalf of the agency.
Liaising with regulatory bodies like State External Audit, financial investigation and
Control Unit (FICU)
Delivery of a proper maintenance culture amongst the allotter’s of the Bus Mass Transit
(BMT) scheme.
Synergy with other agencies in the development of Mass Transportation allied networks in
the State such as
Rail Transportation
Water Transportation
Air transportation
Design, implement and monitor the implementation of Motorcycle Riders Permit in the
State.
Devising methods for the collection, analysis and interpreting of statistical data
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Determination of appropriate routes for Bus Mass Transit Schemes
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CHAPTER THREE
First week of my arrival at the placement, I was to taken through various departments in the
organization such as Administrative, Mass Transit, Planning, Research & Statistics, Finance &
Account, Engineering and Safety. Members of Staff, the deputy directors and directors of
respective department too were introduced to me.
I worked with the Administrative & Supplies department in typing of manuscripts, sending and
receiving of mails across the parastatals (See Plate 3.0). Also I did recording of statutory registers
and a database of all certificate issued to registered vehicle owners.
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With the Department of Engineering and Safety
At the Engineering and Safety department, I was engaged in lecture on Vehicle Inspection process
which I learnt that the vehicle inspection process is an inseparable part of vehicle insurance. A car
needs to be inspected for a number of reasons. It might’ve been in an accident, and the carrier
needs to assess the damage, or it might’ve almost totaled and the insurer needs to take the call on
whether it needs to be salvaged. Vehicle inspection is also required before leasing out cars to
expose any hidden damages and establish the actual ‘health’ of the car. (See Plate 3.1).
Preliminary tasks
Hidden Damages
Also I learnt that there several safety tools that a vehicle must have before its can pass the safety
test as to obtain road worthiness permit. Such as fire extinguisher, seat belt cutter and window
breaker, jumper cables, tire repair kit, toolbox, first aid kit, a change of clothes. (See Plate 3.2)
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Plate 3.2: Safety apparatus required in a vehicle
For field work, I was engaged in physical observation / inspection of a car before issuance of the
road worthiness certificate (See Plate 3.3 & 3.4). In the course of observation different parts of the
vehicle were checked such as the air pressure of car tyres, oil level, engine light, air filters, car
light, belt, brake light and trafficator etc. It was made to me known the importance of this exercise
in protection of lives and property.
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Plate 3.3: Vehicle Inspection
I was engaged in traffic sign the importance and its installation. One of the primary function of
any traffic signal is to assign right-of-way to conflicting movements of traffic at an intersection. It
help to permit conflicting streams of traffic to share the same intersection by means of time
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separation. Traffic signal is a valuable device for improving the safety and efficiency of both
pedestrian and vehicular traffic (See Plate 3.5 & 3.6).
With a team of engineers I was engaged in Traffic Assessments within Abeokuta metropolis. This involves
collecting data about the traffic situation of the site i.e. observing the level of adherence to traffic signals
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Plate 3.6: Various Traffic Signals
I was taken through the Mass transit scheme that was launched last year by His excellence
Governor Dapo Abiodun. This scheme was a product of public partnership which gives
prospecting private transport sectors opportunities to franchise. It is supposed to operate on low
fare policy compared to average fare of the normal commercial buses for a journey of the same
distance and the comfortability and reliability, in terms of operation (See Plate 3.7).
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Plate 3.7: Ogun State Bus Mass Transit
Also, there was an interacting session with the director of mass transit on the Bus Mass Transit
(BMT) scheme. There I learnt that the mass transit is in conjunction with Lagos State government
under the Lagos-Ogun State Joint Development Cooperation. Such that the States buses would
move people from Abeokuta through Mowe, Kara axis to Marina as well as from Ifo and Ado Odo
Ota axis to Lagos and vice versa. The Olokola Port was an interesting section which Ogun State
is considering for water taxies (See Plate 3.8).
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Plate 3.8: Ogun State Olokola Deep Sea Port Model
Other Engagement
I visited the Wole Soyinka Railway Station at Abeokuta. There I was observed the passenger traffic
towards the peak hour, the ticketing system and other commercial transit patronage at the entrance
of the station.
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Plate 3.10: Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station
Low Interpersonal Relationships: In my acquisition period, the level of communication was kind
of not flexible.
Zero Income Earnings: Although I am being told that they don’t pay IT students but I will learn
and truly I learnt a lot. But it is not encouraging on my side hearing my other course mates having
their training elsewhere receiving something at the end of each month.
Cost of Transportation: I spend 5000 weekly on transporting myself to and fro to work every week.
This wouldn’t have been a problem if at least I’m being given something every end of the month.
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 CONCLUSION
My three months industrial training at the Ministry of Transportation, Oke Mosan, Ogun State has
been one of the interesting, productive, instructive and educative experience in my life. Through
the training I gained insight and more comprehensive understanding about the real industrial
working condition and has greatly improved my interpersonal skill. As a result of the programme,
I am now confident to build my future career which I have already started at the Ministry of
Transportation, Oke Mosan, Ogun State.
4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
My recommendation is that the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics should be
adequately equipped with more technological facilities such as computers, electronic notepads,
cameras, and internet facilities to enhance smart transportation initiative in the State.
The Department of Transportation Management, Olabisi Onabanjo University should make sure
the students find appropriate places with the recent move in transportation for their Industrial
Training.
Finally, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with the Federal Government should
increase the allowance paid to IT students, and remunerate them on time, to encourage and bring
out the zeal in these students and possibly make the student carry out their IT in establishments
related to their discipline rather than go in pursuance of money instead of experience and exposure.
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