…. Seeks solution
By Bridget Tikyaa
Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Commercial Transportation and Monitoring, Hon Yusuf Elaigwu Suleiman has called on all stakeholders in the transportation sector to ensure the menance of illegal motor parks in the state was tackled.
Suleiman who suggested constituting a committee on Wednesday after an interactive meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector, expressed worry over the indiscriminate operation of illegal motor parks in Makurdi, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He said the State government would constitute a committee to address the proliferation of illegal roadside motor parks in Makurdi metropolis to ensure coordination in the transport business.
The committee would have representatives from the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) Association of Private Motor Park Owners, National Union of Road Transport Owners, (NARTO), Benue Links Ltd, Benue Motorcycle Association (BEMOA), Federal Road Safety Corp, (FRSC), Keke Napep Riders Association, BENUE State Fire Service and government appointees.
He noted that the surge of illegal motor parks was creating unnecessary traffic, pointing out that the committee will meet with the governor to chat a way out of the menace.
Suleiman also disclosed that with the rise in PMS, the state government was working on introducing CMG enabled vehicles and electric powered commercial vehicles to cushion the spike in transportation.
Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Local government Monitoring and Coordination, Hin Ioryue Yajir commended the step taken to bring sanity into the worrisome situation
Yajir also backed the need to organize the state motor parks saying coordinated parks will generate more revenue for the state, organize the town and reduce criminality.
while Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Security Matters , Internal Affairs, Godwin Malu assured transport workers that their concerns such as illegal roadblocks, security of drivers on the highway and other issues will be addressed.
Council chairman of Makurdi local government, represented by his Deputy Maxwell Adoor promised their synergize with state government in the quest to relocate illegal motor parks to designated parks while Lawal Ishola from FRSC tasked road users to adhere to road safely measures to avoid accidents especially during the festival season.
Speaking during the meeting, stakeholders restated their commitment to abide by the rule and regulations of government to ensure their smooth operations in the state.
The Director Benue State Fire Service, Staff Officer Operations from FRSC, Engr Donald Ikyaaza and SRC Lawal Ishola expressed the commitment of their command and offices to continue to ensure safety of road users as their mandate requires.
Mr Francis Ujah,Assistant General Manager Benue links Nig Ltd said they would assist the state government in tackling the issue of illegal roadside motor parks as they also lose customers to many road side illegal parks.
Other speakers from NARTO, Alh Garba Japan, Stephen Lawal from NURTW State President TRABS (Keke) operators Suushater Daniel and the Secretary of Benue Motorcyclist Association, (BEMOA), Tserga Terkuma all urged Government to provide appropriate parks for all transporters and also discourage the use of children at check points as it is exposing them to various vices.
They also urged the government to collaborate with security agencies to ensure safety of their members both in Makurdi and others places in the state.
The Makurdi branch secretary of NURTW, comrade Stephen Lawal that of Keke Owners Association, Suushater Daniel and Representative of private Motor Park Owners, Chigoze Bernard all pledged to collaborate with state government in tackling the issue of illegal roadside motor parks.
