The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has given a 24-hour ultimatum to all illegal motor- park operators in Abakaliki, the state capital to shut down their operations or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
This was contained in a statement signed by the state assembly’s Public Relations Officer, Sylvester Egede and made available to newsmen, shortly after the House Committee on Works and Transport led by Deacon Joseph Ununu, met with managers of various motor- parks in Ebonyi State.
Egede stated in the statement that the affected illegal motor -parks are those operating on areas around Vanco and Presco, down to Onuebonyi Junction in Abakaliki.
“All the transport operators doing their business at the illegal spots like Vanco Junction, Spera “N’ Deo, Presco Junction and Onuebonyi Junction among others, have been directed to put a stop to it within 24 hours or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
“Giving this directive, when the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Transport met with the managers of various motor -parks in Ebonyi State, the Chairman of the committee and member representing Abakaliki South, doubling as the Deputy Leader of the House, Deacon Joseph Ununu said that the illegal loading parks negate the beautification of the capital city and at the same time decreases the internally generated revenue of the state government.
“The committee however, directed all mass transit operators in the state to submit evidence of payment of internally generated revenue to the committee’s clerk before the closing of work on November 15.
“The committee chairman also directed vehicle operators to stop operating on pick and drop basis, and go back to the motor -parks that provided by the Ebonyi State Government.
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“Conclusively, the committee observed that the transport companies have no standard toilet facilities, fire fighting equipments, waiting halls which are inimical to the comfort of passengers,” the statement said.
Furthermore, the House committee called on the mass transit operators to do the concrete flooring in their premises and equally submit all necessary registration documents that empowers them to operate as mass transit operators to the committee’s clerk.
Vice Chairman of the committee and member representing Afikpo North East Constituency, Ukie Ezeali, noted that the committee was not out to witchhunt anybody but that it is imperative for operators of the affected motor -parks to obey the law.
He assured of the adequate protection of the mass transit operators in the state in as much as they heed to government directives.
Responding, the Ebonyi State Transport Service Operational Manager, Mr. Innocent Obiahu, appreciated the committee for the dialogue and appealed for the repairs of the entrance to the central motor – park in the state capital.
