By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

Abia Government has given one month ultimatum to motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state to obtain rider’s permit.

Commissioner for Transport, Chief Godswill Nwanoruo, gave the directive during the launch of the state rider’s permit for motorcycle and tricycle operators in Umuahia on Tuesday.

Nwanoruo said that failure to comply with the directive would attract sanctions for the defaulters.

He explained that the rider’s permit, an equivalent of the driver’s licence, was approved by government for all motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state.

According to him, a security number and QR code will be attached to the permit for easy access to accurate information about every motorcycle and tricycle in the state.

He said that the initiative was introduced for the safety of lives and property in the transportation business.

“We are going to use this initiative to fish out criminals using motorcycles and tricycles to ply their evil trade and to also stop underage persons from operating the vehicles.

“This initiative will be used to ensure that experienced and eligible persons are engaged in the use of motorcycles and tricycles.

“This programme is very important to the state government as it will serve as a channel for revenue generation for the state,” he said.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Ijeoma Okere, said that enforcing the use of rider’s permit would enable the ministry to collate a comprehensive data of all motorcycle and tricycle operators in the state.

Okere described the initiative as a welcome development, stating that it would contribute greatly to the transformation of the transport sector in the state.

Director of Vehicle Inspection Unit in the ministry, Mr Uche Enwere, urged motorcycle and tricycle operators to ensure that they obtained the permit within the stipulated time.

Enwere warned that failure to do so would attract sanctions, including impounding the motorcycles and tricycles of the defaulters.

Also speaking, Mr Kingsley Ekeleme, Chairman of the state branch of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), commended the state government for the initiative, adding that it would transform the transport sector.

We have been looking forward to the commencement of the use of rider’s permit in Abia and we are glad it is here,” he said.

Ekeleme promised that the leadership of TOAN would ensure strict compliance with the directive and continue to support government’s efforts at sanitising the transport sector. (NAN)

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