The State Government has inaugurated a committee to set in motion the registration and routing of tricycles as a pilot towards the automation of transportation services in Jos-Bukuru metropolis of Plateau State state.
This intends to curb the insecurity and other challenges faced by passengers and commuters in the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Transport in the state, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, while inaugurating the Committee for the Ministerial Registration and Routing of Tricycle Operations in Jos and Bukuru metropolis, held at the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat, Jos.
The Government said it became expedient because of the nefarious activities of some tricycle operators especially during the recent security breach in the areas, where some operators were involved in the killing of innocent citizens who had boarded the tricycle.
Abubakar said, “The inauguration of the Ministerial committee I constituted to set the machinery in motion for the registration and routing of tricycles as a pilot towards the automation of the transportation services in Plateau State.
“This became imperative in keying into global best practices to curb with security and other challenges confronting passengers and commuters on our roads. The recent unfortunate events in our beloved state are pointers to this fact.”
According to him, “Despite government’s huge investment towards achieving peace and tranquility in Plateau State, it became embarrassing to note that some tricycle operators were reportedly involved in the carnage responsible for the untimely demise of some law-abiding and innocent citizens using the tricycles as suppose convenient means of transportation from one destination to other within the metropolis.
“This became a matter of serious concern to the Plateau State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, to impose a ban on the operations of tricycles in the entire state. While the ban on motorcycles is still in force, the government heard the cry of the people and lifted the ban on tricycles towards restoring peace and return of lawful businesses throughout the entire state.
“In furtherance of this, government, security operatives, my ministry in collaboration with stakeholders and all well-meaning citizens, are not resting in ensuring the return of law, order and peaceful coexistence in Plateau State.
“Hence, the need for this committee to kick-start the process of registering all tricycles, the owners, operators and to identify specific routes and parks for each tricycle operator.”
He further stated that the state government is also determined to automate the transport subsector through the Plateau State Information, Communication and
Technology Development Agency (PICTDA).
“Government is very much aware of the strategic position of transportation in every sphere of life.
“Without a safe, secure, and convenient transport system the economy of the state would be adversely affected. Hence, the concern and commitment of the government towards the improvement of the transport system in Plateau State.
“As a result of these, the ministry carefully selected professionals from sister agencies in constituting this committee with clear terms of reference, to electronically capture the identity and biometric data of tricycle operators and their owners, and to also identify routes and parks to assign each tricycle with an inscription of their registration and phone numbers on the tricycles for easy identification”, the commissioner explained.
Among those inaugurated were men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and officials of the Ministry of Transport.
