The taxi drivers operating in illegal roads in different units in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, are crying in agony because of the arm of the law is heavy on them, as they run from place to place to run away from the task force set up by the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
This follows the ultimatum issued recently by the Port Harcourt City Council Chairman to clear the cities of Port Harcourt of illegal motor rands, illegal structures in the form of make-shift stalls and street hawking. He strictly warned of the implications should those affected fail to comply.
Now, as it is, the period of grace has lapsed and the task force charged to action, and a lot of taxi drivers fall victim and the rest of them are running from place to place looking for where to hide, because the penalty for offenders, as according to some of the taxi drivers is very harsh and quite intimidating especially when a person’s car is impounded.
According to our respondent mr Chidi Ekeji a taxi driver who said that those NURTW units described as illegal, as education bus stop, Okija unit, Aba road/by Garrison, Aba Road by Water Lines, Rumuola Junction, Ikeoku, Iloabuchi, Azikiwe, Afikpo road junction and such similar units around Phalgs etc are hunted and any driver apprehended will have his vehicle impounded and is liable to pay sixty thousand Naira (N60,000.00) only, and the car will still be in their custody for two months before releasing it to the owner.
Thirdly, and the most worrisome aspect part of the law is that before releasing the car, it will have its front and back wind screens smashed.
Itis a total loss to the affected driver, and as a result drivers see it as gross injustice since the Local Government has not provide the motorists with alternative motor Rands, as the State Government pursued people and motorists out from the Mile 1 Flyover Rand which was serving as a Central Motor Rand in Port Harcourt City.
Also affected in the strict ultimatum are hawkers and those traders using make-shift stalls and umbrella/canopy. These people do their business now with utmost fear while some of the taxi drivers pack their cars at home because the taskforce has already started operation.
As at the time of this story, many vehicles/taxis had already been impounded as the affected drivers cry in agony and pray for the Local Government Chairman to relax his decision and penalty.
The implication here is that thousands of NURTW and its workers are going to lose their jobs at this critical period in the nation’s economic history when people are seriously lamenting on unemployment level in the country.
These people if they are sent back to the labour market which has already been saturated, social vices will increase, giving rise to insecurity in the short run. Attempt to reach the local government chairman prove abortive.
