Insecurity: Plateau govt bans commercial motorcycles in Jos

Photo: 

Sun News Publishing

Jonah Jang

 

By: 

MARIAM ALESHINLOYE AGBOOLA, Jos

Date: 

Tue, 06/12/2012 

To sanitise the transportation system and arrest security challenges in Plateau State, the state government has banned commercial motorcycle operators in the state capital, especially in areas covered by the Greater Jos master plan  with effect from today. 

Attempts to ban the use of motorcycles within the state capital in the past had resulted in crisis leading to destruction of lives and property, forcing government to suspend the ban. However, security checks have been put in place to ensure the ban is received in good faith by all those concerned with the operation.

Speaking at a joint press conference with security agencies alongside other major stakeholders, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap said the ban was not just a pronouncement but was backed up by law, which passed through the state House of Assembly and accented to by the executive.

He explained that this time around, the ban had received the blessing of security agencies due to the security threat the operations of the motorcyclists had posed to law and order in the state as well as the support of stakeholders committed to the implementation of the Greater Jos master plan. The commissioner said as part of palliative measures put in place to cushion the effect of the prohibition, no fewer than 120 buses, 300 taxicabs had been released, adding that more tricycles would be procured to complement those already on ground.

In his contribution at the briefing, the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Chris Hassan, said apart from the tricycles, taxicabs and buses released by the state government, any private individual who wanted to operate commercial motorcycles must be registered with the appropriate government agencies.

“It is not a monopoly kind of thing but any individual who wants to operate such must do so in consonance with the appropriate government agencies. All those that had been given are expected to pay so that the government can plough the money back to acquire more,” he said. According to him, those that had been given by the government were expected to start paying after six months and therefore, implored such beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Ayeni, however, appealed to the people of the state not to attach sentiment to the prohibition, adding that it was for the good of all.

SOURCE: 12 June 2012.