Benue State Government has disclosed that plans are underway to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric-Powered Commercial Vehicles to cushion the effect of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, which has caused a hike in the transportation system.
The Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Commercial Transportation and Monitoring, Yusuf Suleiman, who disclosed this during a meeting of Stakeholders in the transportation business to brainstorm on ways to stop the illegal proliferation of roadside motor parks, also constituted a committee to move every park operating illegally to government-approved parks.
This is even true as some private commercial park owners in the Makurdi metropolis who spoke at the meeting allegedly accused the Makurdi local government of issuing illegal operational permits to individuals to operate such parks.
Inaugurating the committee, Suleiman expressed optimism that it will deliver on its mandate. He urged them to work without fear or favour to tackle the menace, especially now that Christmas and New Year are approaching.
“We will not in any way accept the indiscriminate operation of illegal motor parks, which constitute a nuisance and social vices and put the people’s lives in danger. Anyone caught operating illegally will be sanctioned according to the law.”
“We want the operations of our commercial parks to conform with global best practices, which is why we will soon introduce CNG and electric-powered commercial vehicles. This will help, in no small measure, cushion the effect of hardship on the citizenry, so this proliferation of motor parks on the shoulders of the roads causing unnecessary traffic grid must stop.”
Also speaking, the principal Special Assistant to the governor on Local Government Monitoring and Coordination, Ioryue Yajir, commended the steps taken by the State Government to bring sanity that will clear the State of the mess of one day turning into a theatre of mourners.
The Principal Special Assistant on Security Matters and Internal Affairs, Godwin Malu, assured transport workers of improved road security while urging commuters to be security conscious by boarding vehicles in approved parks.
Earlier, the vice chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Maxwell Adoor, who debunked the alleged claim by the private commercial motor park owners, explained that the council would not in any way approve any illegality, knowing the implications of such, and pledged the council’s support in the relocation process.
The Officer in charge of Operations, Federal Road Safety Corps Lawal Moshood, urged all road users to comply with safety measures to avoid unnecessary road crashes, especially during the festive seasons.
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