Delta govt enforces order to paint cabs

Transport services were paralysed in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Monday, as the state government began to enforce its order for commercial vehicles to be painted in blue and white.The enforcement made the taxi and commercial bus drivers to stay away from major roads to avoid arrest.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the government had in March given commercial vehicle operators three months within which to paint their vehicles in the state colour.The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Ben Igbakpa, had, while announcing the ultimatum, said that defaulters would be sanctioned and warned that no plea would be entertained. The deadline elapsed on June 30.About two weeks ago, the Ministry of Transport issued a notice, reminding commercial vehicle operators that the enforcement of the regulation would commence on July 30.On Monday, workers and other commuters woke to find that there were no buses and taxis on the roads in the capital city.Bus stops and road junctions were filled with stranded commuters, including students, who waited endlessly for the few painted vehicles plying the roads.Most of the commuters resorted to trekking to their destinations. Some students and traders were among those who walked long distances to their destinations.Commercial motorcycles, yet to be included in the regulation, had a field day as the operators made brisk businesses, jerking up fares in the process.A distance that usually cost N50 per drop, went for between N80 and N100 and yet, commuters struggled to hop on the motorcycles.Appraising the enforcement, Igbakpa told NAN that as at 3:00 p.m., no fewer than 30 vehicles had been impounded for non-compliance with the order in Asaba.He said he was yet to receive reports from Warri and other places, but said the enforcement was effective around the state.Igbakpa also said that vehicles impounded on the first day of the enforcement would pay N2,000 fine, while N5,000 would be collected from Tuesday.``We have told them that they must paint their vehicles in the state colours if they want to operate here. There is no going back on that.``Each vehicle will be registered and given a unique number to indentify it.
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