Ebonyi Assembly bans illegal motor parks

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has given a 24-hour ultimatum to all illegal motor park operators in Abakaliki to shut down operation or 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 Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Transport led by Deacon Joseph Ununu met with managers of various motor parks in the state on Tuesday.

He explained that the illegal motor parks spanned from Vanco, Presco down to Onuebonyi Junction in Abakaliki, the state capital.

According to him, “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.

“The illegal loading parks negate the beautification of the capital city and at the same time decreases the Internally Generated Revenue of the government.”

The state lawmakers, however, directed all mass transit operators in the State to submit evidence of payment of Internally Generated Revenue to the committee clerk before the closing of work on Friday, 15th November.

The Committee Chairman also directed vehicle operators to stop operating on pick and drop basis and go back to the motor parks that were graciously provided by the Ebonyi State government.

“Conclusively, the committee observed that the transport companies have no standard toilet facilities, fire fighting equipment, and waiting hall, which are inimical to the comfortability of the passengers,” he said.

He called on the operators to do concrete flooring in their premises and equally submit all necessary documents that registered them as mass transit operators to the committee clerk.

The Vice Chairman of the Committee and member representing Afikpo North East Constituency, Hon Ukie Ezeali noted that the committee was not out to witch-hunt anybody.

He assured of adequate protection of the mass transit operators in the state in as much as they heeded to the government directives.

Responding, the Ebonyi State Transport Service, EBOTRANS operational manager, Mr Innocent Obiahu appreciated the committee for the dialogue and appealed for the repair of the entrance to the central park.