By Correspondent in Minna
Niger State Governnent has announced closure of all unauthorized motor parks operating within Minna, the state capital in particular while private car owners using their vehicles for commercial purpose will no longer be tolerated.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso,who disclosed this to journalists gave the names of such motor parks as: Abdulsalam garage, Central motor park, Kpakungu garage, Limawa park, NSTA garage, Mobil round-about garage, Peace Travels (PMT) park, Nice Travels motor park and Kure market motor park.
Ketso, giving an update on the security situation in the state while briefing journalists at Government House, Minna, warned that the state government would not hesitate to deal with defaulters of the new order aimed at guaranteeing security of lives and property.
Frantic efforts, he said,was being made for the release of 139 students and staff of the Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area, adding that significant progress made not only to rescue the victims but also to guarantee lasting peace and ensure that security returned to the troubled parts of the state.
“While admitting high level of compliance to the ban on commercial motorcycles in Minna, the state government is further compelled to consequently enforce the ban on illegal motor parks in Minna, the state capital. The ban takes effect from today Wednesday 9th June, 2021,”the deputy governor said.
He advised the people, travelers in particular,on the need to be security conscious at all times by the Deputy Governor urged travelers strictly adhering to the approved designated motor parks.
“The state government also wants traditional rulers to treat issues of insecurity with deserved concern by ensuring adequate monitoring and proper documentations of aliens within their domain,to ensure that people with questionable character have no hiding place therein.
“Recent moves became necessary to further close some security gaps in the transportation sector of the state and the state government is advising commuters to desist from taking public transport outside the designated garages for their safety and that of their properties.
“All commercial vehicles must henceforth obtain official commercial number plates and vehicle stickers from the Ministry of Transport with immediate effect. No vehicle will be allowed to take passengers outside designated government approved parks”.
“Standard passenger manifest has also been designed and produced by the Ministry for all vehicles loading in all the designated motor parks. Use of private vehicles for commercial purposes is henceforth banned and anyone caught in the act will be prosecuted”.
“All private motorcycles must be properly registered and the riders obtain rider’s card or permit accordingly. All tricycles must also be properly registered and issued rider’s card without which they will not be allowed to operate,” he further warned.
While commiserating with residents of Minna and environs on the hardships recent security measures maight have caused them, Ketso pleaded for more understanding.
“I believe, this is a worthy sacrifice we all need to make to secure ourselves, our families and properties”, according to him.
The Deputy Governor,who commended journalists in the state for supporting efforts being made by present administration in the state to check insecurity by properly disseminating information,urged them to sustain the such act of professionalism.
