The Ebonyi state House of Assembly Committee on Works and Transport, has ordered that all transport operators loading passengers at unauthorized locations should cease operation immediately.
These places include Vanco Junction, Spera “N’ Deo, Presco Junction, and Onuebonyi Junction, ordering the transport operators to cease operations at these sites within 24 hours or face legal consequences.
The Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Deacon Joseph Ununu, emphasized that these unauthorized loading spots detract from the city’s aesthetic and reduce government revenue.
He further instructed all mass transit operators to submit proof of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) payments by November 15, 2024.
The committee also mandated that operators stop “pick-and-drop” services and return to government-designated parks, noting a lack of passenger amenities such as toilet facilities, fire safety equipment, and waiting halls
Also, the committee observed that the transport companies have no standard toilet facilities, fire fighting equipments, waiting Hall which are inimical to the comfortability of the passengers.
The Committee also directed the operators to do the concrete flooring in thier premises and equally submit all necessary documents that registered them as mass transit operators to the committee clerk.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee and member representing Afikpo North East Constituency ,Hon Oluchukeu Ukie Ezeali added that the committee was not out to witch-hunt anybody but it is imperative for reasonable human being to obey the law of the land.
He assured of the adequate protection of the mass transit operators in the state in as much as they heeded to the government directives.
Responding, the operation manager EBOTRANS, Mr Innocent Obiahu appreciated the committee for the dialogue and appealed for the repairs of the entrance to the central park, Abakaliki.
Other Members of the Committee present are Hon Nkemka Okoro Onuma representing Edda West, Hon Lucas Arinze Chukwu of Ishielu South, Hon Good luck Obinna Mbam from Izzi East and Hon Chief Abiri Godwin Abiri representing Izzi West Constituency.