The Kwara State Government has withdrawn the operating rights of 37 private motor parks and recertified only 12 following a compliance inspection of transport and environmental safety standards.
This was made known on Wednesday during the presentation of renewed certificates to the 12 approved operators in Ilorin.
A statement by the Ministry of Transportation spokesman, Alabere Ahmed, listed the certified operators as Ilorin Emirate Transport Service; KASMAG Line; Success Express Transport Service; RASYAU Travel & Tours Ltd; Fayos Motors Transport Service; Okin Motors & Sons Nig. Ltd; Alubarika Decency Motors; Femali (FM) Nig. Ltd; Bekki & Sons Motors; Young Legacy Line; Royal Ryders Super Express; and Laraku Motors.
Presenting the certificates in Ilorin, Commissioner for Transportation, Aliyu Kora-Sabi, said the recertification exercise was to enforce environmental standards and enhance the safety of the general public, especially the passengers.
The commissioner, while describing motor parks as important and life-saving mechanisms, said the gesture will give the commuters an opportunity to board certified motors within the identified parks for a better service delivery.
He said, “By certifying these motor parks, we are equipping our community with the tools necessary to ply our roads safely. Today, as we certify you as recognised motor parks, let it be a reminder of our collective duty to protect one another.
“Let us work together to ensure that everyone understands the importance of taking safety measures while plying our roads.
Our roads are a source of livelihood, but they also pose risks that must be addressed.”
Sabi hailed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s commitment to the protection of the lives of the citizens.
He also commended the governor’s commitment to creating a better livelihood for citizens through the recently launched CNG buses, saying the initiative was meant to cushion the effects of economic hardship in the state.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Salau Abdullahi, said officials of the Ministry had inspected facilities in all garages in the city and were satisfied with what they found in the selected ones, adding it is a continuous exercise.
Director of Transport, Engr. Michael Bamidele, said 12 out of 49 existing private motor parks in the state met the regulatory requirements for recertification, adding that the process sought to achieve a safe and clean working environment.
CEO KASMAG Line, Abdulganiyu Omoola, who spoke on behalf of other recipients, thanked the government for the recertification exercise and pledged their continued support towards improving the safety of people.
The event was attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu; Senior Special Assistant on Transportation, Hon. Ibrahim Orire; Technical Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Alhaji Musbau Abubakar; representative of the Commissioner of Police, DCP Ladi Suleiman; and representative of the State Commandant for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, AC Salman Surajudeen.
Others were the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Engr. Ayuba Isiaka; former Director of Transport in the Ministry, Engr Durotoye Joshua; representative of the Federal Road Safety Commission; Chairman, Association of Independent Transporters and CEO KASMAG Line, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Omoola; Chairman Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ademola Akintola; and Chairman, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, Kwara state branch, Alhaji Saliu Gidado.
