The Abia State Ministry of Transport has officially launched the first ever “Riders Permit” and enumeration exercise for commercial vehicles and tricycle operators in the state.
The initiative is aimed at profiling commercial vehicle operators in the state as well as streamlining the activities of tricycle Operators to promote the safety of lives of Abia citizens and residents alike.
Speaking in Umuahia while launching the Programme, the Commissioner for Transport Chief Godswill Nwanoruo while highlighting it’s importance said apart from the security features of the Riders Permit,it would equally generate revenue for the state as well as increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He noted that the exercise would assist the state government in fishing out criminal elements who disguise as tricycle and motorcycle operators as well as under-aged Children in the transport sector.
According to the Transport Commissioner, Tricycle and Motorcycle operators have only one month to obtain their Riders Permit as the ministry would commence the enforcement of the exercise within one month.
“We are giving commercial vehicle operators one month to get captured and collect their riders’ permit after which sanctions would be implemented.
“A security number and QR Code would be attached to the permit. This exercise is aimed at profiling commercial vehicle operators to capture the accurate information about their vehicles.
“The exercise would go a long way to curb crime in addition to generating revenue for the state government”, he said.
Nwanoruo, used the forum to thank Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for approving the programme and expressed the hope that commercial vehicle operators in the state would comply with the exercise so as to achieve the purpose for which it was meant.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Ijeoma Okere commended the Commissioner for working assiduously to realize the project, noting that the project will give identifiable and legal permit to the commercial operators.
Responding on behalf of other Unions, the Chairman Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria (TOAN), Mr Kingsley Ekeleme thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the Ministry of Transport for making the Programme a reality and assured of their support towards the success of the Programme in the state.
