Traffic Authority Reads Riot Act To Churches, Others

Tough times await bank chiefs, top clergies, managers of filling stations and super markets as they may be arrested for traffic regulation offences.

The Controller-General of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV), Mr. Nelson Jaja stated this in a statement in Port Harcourt as part of his on going enlightenment campaign on traffic control.

He said these persons would attract the wrath of the Authority because of their inability to properly control their staff members and customers with regard to traffic congestion around their premises.

Mr. Jaja said in case of the banks that the managers could be arrested if bullion vans, belonging to their banks flout traffic regulations, while that of filling stations, supermarkets and churches would arise owing to queues and wrong parking.

The Controller-General said as soon as such incident occurred, the best way to check it was to arrest the top personality in the organization.

The idea, he said, ensure that they put all necessary machineries in place to control their subordinates.

The Controller-General also advised owners of filling stations, supermarkets and clergy men/women in charge of churches to ensure that parking arrangements within their organizations do not hinder the flow of traffic in the areas in which they are situated.

He, however, said that the Authority may advise the State Government to close down any of these organizations where the space available does not give thorough fare to traffic.

In a related development, the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV) has outlawed taxi parks within 200 metres of any major junction in Port Harcourt and vowed to impound cabs parking at junctions for passengers.

The Controller-General, TIMARIV, Mr. Nelson Jaja disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.

He said this had become imperative considering the traffic problems such parking at the junctions cause to free flow of traffic in the city.

The Controller-General frowned at the present development where taxi cabs park at junctions and wait for passengers, pointing out that it does not conform to worldwide practice.

Mr. Jaja said that the transport policy of the state encourages the existence of small vehicles such as taxi cabs to move-and-stop in order to pick passengers rather than cluster at a junction to wait and carry passengers.

He said the consequences of this was that commuters waste a long time to get to their destination, adding that one of the objectives of the Authority was to ensure that the traffic system in the state should be such that commuters get to their destinations on time.

The Controller-General stated that the transport options were such that could give commuters an advantage in their choice, pointing out that bus services were for long distances at designated stopping points while taxis were for short distance along the road.

He, however, warned that move-and-stop system of taxis does not mean that taxis can stop anywhere to drop or pick passengers.

The Controller-General explained that taxis even on move-and- stop should park properly at designated places in such a way as not to impede the flow of traffic.

He, however, stated that the Authority before embarking on impounding of such vehicles would enlighten the drivers on their mode of operation and parking when picking passengers.