The National Vice President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), chief Sunny Nwakodo has vehemently refuted the allegation against him, that he is flouting government relocation orders by operating an illegal motor park, stating that his accusers are not clever enough to do the job given them.
Chief Nwakodo who stated this to National Ambassador Online, said the NURTW which he belongs, does not encourage the operation of illegal motorparks, stating that anyone accusing him of erecting or operating one should prove it.
Recall, that preceding the relocation of traders at the Isigate, Umuahia to Ubani Ibeku market, orders were given by the government through the Ministry of Transport to relocate transporters at the same Isigate to the Ohiya Motorpark, so as to decongest the Isigate area, making it a crime free zone.
The NURTW boss said he completely supports the relocation exercise to Ohiya, as already the activities of transporters at the Isigate, are currently disrupting the beautification project which he is handling at the Isigate.
Reacting to the issue, chief Nwakodo said the Ministry of Transport gave out a specification of what a legal park should be, saying that any transport company that meets with the requirements would be allowed to operate around the city centre while others who do not meet it, would relocate.
Disclosing the specification to be a large compound with two gates, a toilet and bathroom, as well as other vital facilities to serve the passengers right.
For him, the park they said he is operating illegally, is currently undergoing reconstruction to meet with the Ministry’s specification, wondering why they will tag it illegal when he has not stated operation.
He revealed that his intention was to make the long existing park at Aba road befitting to serve for intra city movement, as the ministry did not consider short distances like Ubakala,Ikwuano, among others when they gave the order for relocation.
” How can a passenger who is going to Umudike for example,first go to Ohiya to board a vehicle.There is no sense in it.There must be a park in town that would serve intra city movement. While all inter city transporters can move to Ohiya”, Nwakodo pointed out.
NURTW further called on the government to hand over the relocation exercise to capable hands that can deliver and not those who are using the bid to make money.
