The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for all illegal motor park operators in Abakaliki to shut down operations or face legal action. This directive was announced in a statement signed by Sylvester Egede, the Assembly’s Public Relations Officer, following a meeting between the Assembly’s Committee on Works and Transport, led by Deacon Joseph Ununu, and the managers of various motor parks in the state.
The committee highlighted that illegal motor parks, particularly those at locations like Vanco, Presco, Spera “N’ Deo, and Onuebonyi Junction, undermine the capital’s beautification efforts and reduce the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). As a result, all operators at these sites must halt operations immediately or risk sanctions.
Additionally, the Assembly directed all mass transit operators to submit evidence of IGR payment by Friday, 15th November. They also emphasized that transport companies must cease pick-and-drop services and operate solely from state-provided motor parks.
Committee inspections found that many transport companies lack essential amenities, such as toilet facilities, fire-fighting equipment, and proper waiting halls, which are necessary for passenger comfort and safety. The operators were instructed to install concrete flooring in their premises and provide registration documents to the committee clerk.
Hon. Ukie Ezeali, Vice Chairman of the Committee, assured operators of protection from the government, provided they comply with these directives. In response, EBOTRANS operational manager, Mr. Innocent Obiahu, thanked the committee for the dialogue and requested repairs to the central park’s entrance.