TIMA-RIV To Enforce Painting Of Taxis Soon

Hardtimes await unpainted commercial vehicle drivers, as the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMA-RIV) is set to enforce the painting of commercial vehicles in the state with effect from March this year.

The Comptroller-General, Rives State Road Traffic Management authority (TIMA-RIV), Nelson Jaja, who dropped the hint in his office in Port Harcourt while briefing newsmen, said taxis and buses that ply within the state must be painting with the Rivers State Government-approved colours, “blue and white,’ and must be registered with the State Ministry of Transport.

He said, “we are giving them between now and end of February, from the beginning of March we will start the enforcement of the law.”

According to him, buses and taxis that come from outside can come in, but those buses that come from Owerri and Aba are expected to go straight to their designated parks to off-load their passengers, pick passengers and go straight out.” Those buses that are not painted with Rivers State colours will not be allowed to use our bus stops to pick or drop passengers in the city. If we catch them, they will be impounded, prosecuted according to the laws,” he added.

The Comptroller-General, noted that the Authority will also ensure that bus routes are strictly maintained and obeyed, saying that those buses that meanders through GRA, will be stopped and will not be allowed to drive through residential areas any longer.

After this time, he said, TIMA-RIV various units will be meeting with the respective transport companies to sensitise them on the new development, adding that it is no longer business as usual, where people operate their taxis in the name of ‘cabu-cabu,’ the regulations and restrictions will strictly be enforced starting from March 2011,” he assured.