The Rivers State Ministry of Transport has embarked on a campaign to restore order and transparency in the transport sector.
The state Transport Commissioner, Collins Onunwo, said the initiative aims to tackle the menace of illegal parking and unauthorized fee collection, which has been a persistent issue in the state.
To address these concerns, Onunwo convened separate meetings with the Motorcycle Operators Union and Heavy Duty Truck Stakeholders.
Onunwo revealed that the ministry is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to establish a special task force.
He said the task force will regulate transport activities across the state, with members easily identifiable by vests inscribed with “Ministry of Transport.”
“The task force will ensure that transport operators comply with the laws and regulations governing the sector,” Hon. Onunwo explained.
During the meeting with the Motorcycle Operators Union, Emmanuel Chezu, the union’s representative, expressed gratitude to the ministry for its proactive measures.
Chezu commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s revival of the Rivers State Transport Company (RTC), citing the biblical maxim, “When the righteous rule, the people rejoice.”
He highlighted several challenges faced by motorcycle operators, including: Harassment by security agencies; Lack of designated parking spaces and Extortion by unauthorized individuals.
Chezu called for increased support from the ministry to address these issues.
Also, in the meeting with Heavy Duty Truck Stakeholders, led by Omeriji Opara Chidi, Onunwo condemned unauthorized individuals selling stickers or collecting money in the name of the Ministry of Transport.
“Those involved in such activities are criminals, and we will not tolerate it,” Hon. Onunwo stated.
The commissioner informed the stakeholders that he had notified the Rivers State Commissioner of Police about the fraudulent use of his office’s name on tickets.
Onunwo assured stakeholders of Governor Fubara’s commitment to their cause, emphasizing that his office would act in line with the Constitution without interference.
“No one will be allowed to use the Ministry of Transport’s name to extort the public,” he stated.
The commissioner also pledged to work closely with stakeholders to address concerns and implement the special task force.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Nwuzua Gonee Gordon, attended the meetings.
He, however, advised the public to report any instances of unauthorized fee collection or illegal parking to the nearest police station or the Ministry of Transport.