From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Ebonyi State Government has clamped down on operators of all illegal motor parks in Abakaliki metropolis and impounded their vehicles.
Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Transport, Chief Fredrick Nwogba who supervised the operation said the shutdown of the motor parks was due to the park operators’ refusal to relocate to the ultramodern central park built for all commercial vehicles in the capital city. He noted that the one month ultimatum issued to them by the State Government had expired.
Nwogbaga who ordered that the impounded vehicles be taken to the State Ministry of Works and Transport, added that the owners would pay fine to the State Government approved bank account immediately or be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.
He warned the illegal park operators against further disobedience to government directives, urging them to kindly relocate to the State central park to ensure sanity in the state capital.
He expressed the readiness of the state government to give them a conducive atmosphere to ensure their businesses thrived. The motor parks that were affected included the ones in Presco, Onuebonyi, Old Timber, Spera-in Deo Plaza and Vanco Junction.
The Governor’s aide charged motorists operating at Ishieke motor park to bring documents empowering them to be operating in the area to the State Ministry of Works and Transport or risk being shut down.
He enjoined roadside traders in the capital city to immediately relocate to the State International market for free flow of human and vehicular movements in Abakaliki.
Two drivers, Nworie Chukwuma and Ikelegu Francis who operated from Vanco Junction to Onueke, where one of the illegal parks was shut down, said their businesses have been crippled.
They described the development as very worrisome and appealed to the State Government to give them more time to prepare themselves and relocate to the central park.