The Bayelsa State government has called on residents and commuters to support its initiatives to improve efficiency in the transport sector.
During an unscheduled visit to the Bayelsa Ultramodern Transport Terminal in Igbogene yesterday, the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, urged the public to show patience as the government works to resolve challenges in the sector.
In a statement by his senior special assistant on media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor, emphasised the administration’s commitment to providing a more effective and sustainable transportation system.
He explained that the recent policy mandating transporters and commuters use only government-approved motor parks was in the best interest of the state.
According to him, the shutting down of illegal parks and their subsequent relocation to the state-of-the-art intercity transport terminal at Igbogene has brought decency and serenity to the hitherto chaotic Tombia Junction and other areas in the state capital.
The deputy governor noted that while the government intends to build more befitting parks to make commuting easier, he said the Ekeki Motor Park would continue to cater to the needs of those travelling within the state.
The deputy governor, who sympathised with the people for some of the inconveniences thrown up by the new policy, assured that the government was doing everything possible to address all reasonable challenges associated with using the new transport terminal.
He said, “You know, no state has this kind of facility in our country for now. This is an airport terminal for some states and even for some countries.
“It was a well-thought-out plan by the immediate past governor, Senator Seriake Dickson. We want to thank him for coming up with this project, which we inherited as part of the assets, though there was some liability of completion.
“We also thank His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, for not only completing the project but also putting it to use by ordering the movement of all transporters involved in intercity transport to this place because that is the standard in every international city.
“We have come here to evaluate the implementation of no-side parks in Bayelsa State. And as you know, for now, we have two parks in Yenagoa: Ekeki Park and this park.
“Those who ought not to come here to load, for example, what is the business of somebody going to Ogbia or Nembe, coming as far as Igbogene to take off? What will somebody going to Amassoma, or anywhere in Southern Ijaw, come to do here instead of Ekeki Park?
“So, it is better they are somewhere there, so that it is only those who are going out of the state that will come here. That is part of the thinking we are doing, and in any case, we have a few issues as to the inadequacy of the space and the issue of the utilisation of the spaces available. And we are addressing them.
“All that Bayelsans and commuters need to do is that they have to be patient. As a government, we are trying to moderate the issue of trekking to the junction before boarding vehicles to the city centre. Those issues are being managed. So, they should be patient.”
