NURTW Tasks RSG On Illegal Parks

A call has gone to the Rivers State Government to take measures aimed at checking multiple illegal motor parks operating in Port Harcourt City and its environs.

Making the call yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Abali Park branch, Chief Bethel Dappa expressed dismay over all sorts of parks littering the nooks and crannies of the city, stressing that the parks make the city look chaotic and prone to criminal activities.

He explained that if well managed, the major motor parks operating in the city would be able to serve the motor park needs in the city.

The NURTW boss lamented that the problem of multiple illegal parks is most pronounced around the Mile I Flyover where in spite of government approved Abali Motor Park, numerous motor parks were allowed to operate under the flyover and urged the state government to come up with standing policy on operations of motor parks to maintain standard as found in other cities in Nigeria.

He lauded the state government and the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Hon. Chimbiko Akaralo, for the fencing project round Abali Park.” The project would go a long way in checking criminal activities in the area,” he rmarked.

Chief Dappa further advised the government to check sales of alcohol beverages in motor parks by banning hawkers noting that the presence of the alcohol sellers tempts some commercial drivers to get involved in drinking while on duty. He, however, commended drivers of Abali Park for achieving zero-fatal accidents last year. Attributing the feat to numerous campaigns and public lectures organised by authorities of the park in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state.

Chief Dappa urged stakeholders to sustain the standard as awards await commercial motor drivers who excel on safety driving this year to encourage safety of lives and property on the road.

He warned drivers to avoid over-loading of vehicles, over-speeding, drinking while driving as well as flagrant disregard to traffic laws as the union would take stringent disciplinary measures against those ho flout the law.

Chris Oluo/Leticia Opusunju