Transport
Mixed Feelings Trail Okada Ban In Enugu
Commuters in Enugu are now trekking long distances while others wait for long to board buses, taxis and tricycles, following the State Government ban on commercial motorcyclist operations.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation in Enugu last Wednesday reported that the ‘Okada’ waiting bays was deserted.
School children, civil servants and traders thronged bus-stops to board buses to their destinations.
Some of the residents, who spoke to our Correspondent in separate interviews, applauded the State Government for taking the decision, while some condemned the policy.
Mrs Ngozi Nwabunne, a mother of two, commended government for the decision, saying that the incident of handbag snatching, avoidable accidents and other vices allegedly being perpetrated with motorcycles would reduce.
Mr Christian Nwodo, a motor mechanic, said the ban would encourage youths to focus attention on crafts, which would help in re-building the state economy.
“Because of Okada you find it difficult to have apprentice in crafts like vulcanising, barbing, auto-mechanic and other artisan professions.
“It will also help our people to learn how to trek short and long distances as the advent of Okada has made both the young and old people to become lazy over trekking,’’ he said.
Miss Oluchi Okafor, a secondary school student, said the ban had brought hardship to school children as “some of us use Okada to go to school faster and easier because buses do not enter streets’’.
Mrs Chizoba Onwughalu, a food vendor at one of the Okada loading bays, said she was badly affected as she did not hear about the ban and prepared her usual food for sale for the day.
“I do not know why government is so interested in this Okada. No three months passes without one problem or the other with Okada.
“We will watch and see how long it will last and what government will do to alleviate the sufferings of the poor man in Enugu,’’ she said.
Mr Mathias Omeje, an Okada operator, decried the ban, adding that he bought a motorcycle recently on hire-purchase and had not completed the payment.
“I am finished because I do not know what to do. How do I pay back my debt and take care of my family in this situation,’’ he asked.
While security operatives were everywhere to ensure compliance, bus and ‘Keke-NAPEP’ drivers made brisk businesses as they had many passengers to carry without waiting for long.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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