TRANSPORTATION
THE Benue Government on Wednesday tasked transport companies operating in the state on accurate database of vehicles, passengers and workers for effective monitoring.
The State Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transport, Mr Omale Omale, gave the directive during his tour of some transport companies in Makurdi, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directive became necessary following the recent hijack of commercial buses operating in the state by unknown persons currently requesting for ransom.
Omale said transports companies in the state must take its database seriously for efficient and effective monitoring of all passengers, vehicles and workforce on every trip.
He said the mode of operations of the companies should also be made known to the government for effective monitoring.
Speaking at the Benue Links Company Park, Omale also commended the management for putting its meager resources to judicious use through the construction of a drainage channel to prevent incessant flooding at the park.
He also applauded the management for sustaining the mission and vision of the company to ease transportation challenges within and outside the state.
He urged the leadership of the company to redouble its efforts so as to attain and sustain the vision of Gov. Hycinth Alia’s administration.
At the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) named “Drivers House” , Omale assured the union that the government was ready to partner with them for effective service delivering to the people.
He, however, insisted that government can not intervene in the absence of accurate database.
He enjoined the union to submit within two weeks, a comprehensive data of registered vehicles, vehicular movements and location of parks as well as their workforce.
Receiving the commissioner at the Benue Links, its Acting General Manager, Mr Alex Fanafa, said the management was constructing a drainage channel to end the constant flooding of the park.
Fanafa also enumerated the critical challenges of the company and appeal for support from the state government.
During the visit to the Driver House, members of the union lamented the deplorable state of infrastructure and facilities at motor parks, excessive extortion from drivers at multiple checkpoints, fuel hike and lack of vehicle loans.
Other issues raised are increased rates of illegal parks, congestion near the Wurukum roundabouts and need for inclusion in government initiative to provide palliative buses.
They however laud the resourcefulness of the commissioner to interact with them describing it as the first since the history of the union.
NAN reports that other parks and transport companies visited include: Wurukum Park, Heavy Duty Park, Lafia Park, and High Level Park among others.(NAN)
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September 20, 2023 @ 17:44 GMT|
Tags: Omale Omale
