COVID-19: Anambra govt urges transporters to comply with directives

The Anambra State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Christian Madubuko, has called on motorists to comply with the state government’s directive on the maximum number of passengers per trip.

Madubuko made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Awka.

He said that motorists should fear the Coronavirus pandemic and comply with government’s directives, which, he said, were meant to prevent the spread of the deadly disease in the state.

“The directive asking that commercial buses and tricycles to maintain the minimum passengers of two for tricycles and three for shuttle buses, among others must be enforced strictly; we are serious about it,” he said.

Madubuko said that the ministry had commenced the enforcement of the directives to ensure that commercial bus operators complied.

He said that sensitisation campaign had been carried in some busy motor parks in the state, adding that commercial vehicles were inspected to ensure compliance with maximum number of passengers per trip.

Madubuko said that commercial transporters had been directed to have effective manifests of all passengers moving into the state.

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He added that they were also directed to have water dispensers and hand sanitisers in various motor parks.

NAN reports that the strict compliance with the directive had yet to be achieved in some parts of Awka city, as the buses and tricycle operators still carry more than the specified numbers.

Mr Ugochukwu Ifemelu, a bus driver, said that to carry only five passengers at a go was not practicable, because it would lead to bad business.

“It is more reasonable to say 10 passengers in a bus that takes up to 15 persons; a litre of fuel has not dropped; so why the punishment?” he said.

Mr Kenechukwu Okaka, a tricycle operator, said that it was a bad business for them to carry only two passengers, adding, however, that he ensured that his passengers put on nose masks or handkerchiefs.

He said: “You can see my passengers covering their noses. So why should I carry two persons only while people are stranded?” he queried.