The Imo state commercial transport system is wearing a new look under the administration of the Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma with the introduction of data capturing of commercial drivers and their vehicles.
Before now, there has been incessant kidnapping and insecurity trailing the activities of motorists in the state. There have been issues of commercial vehicles being used to perpetrate all kinds of crimes against Imo citizens and beyond. Until recently the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma decided to bridge the gap by the introduction of biometric capture and painting of vehicles.
It would be recalled that the past administration of Senator Okorocha introduced a particular colour code for commercial vehicles in the state.
This move was met with opposing views as it was gathered that the former governor bought the vehicles under the Taxi/bus Imo and distributed to drivers with then colour code introduced by the former governor.
The commercial drivers argued that the colour code of the vehicles contradicted with the lawful colour as enshrined in the state’s law. After much deliberations, most of the drivers complied because the government of the day set up a task force to ensure the implementation of the directives. During the period, most drivers whose vehicles were not painted had their vehicles impounded.
On the other hand, the prices of branding and painting were exorbitant and it was mandatory to paint at the designated places designated by the government. In other words, the drivers were not permitted to paint their vehicles in any other place outside the one designated by the government.
Currently, News Echo observed that the introduction of the new colour code and biometric capturing of the vehicles did not meet with serious hitches as virtually all the drivers accepted the new colour code and complied with the directives of rebranding.
The new system entails that the data of drivers are captured and routes and fleet numbers assigned to them. In other words, in case of eventualities or crimes committed with a captured vehicle, it can easily be traced and the owner of the vehicles apprehended.
The data capturing also makes a provision for commercial drivers to present their driving license at the process of capturing thereby eliminating the issue of drivers operating without a valid drivers’ license.
When our reporter visited the office of the Imo state biometrics capture and painting, the chairman, Elder Anaelechi Ukanwune aka Obowo disclosed that the new system has witnessed a high level of compliance by the commercial drivers in the state.
He however stated that some commercial drivers especially those under the school shuttle buses who are meant to transport students in the high institution have absconded from the painting as they opined that they are buses meant for students hence, it should not be mandatory for them to rebrand their vehicles. On the other hand, Obowo disclosed that some commercial drivers in a bid to abscond painting now register under the student shuttle buses but still operate inside the cities leaving the supposed routes they ought to ply.
Obowo stated unequivocally that those drivers who default or hide under the umbrella of student franchise should not hesitate to follow the government directives of data capturing and painting or face the full wrath of the law.
The IBTC boss also disclosed that there has been instances of drivers operating with the same fleet numbers, implying they were dully captured but illegally obtained numbers that conflicts with other vehicles. These individuals have since been dealt with by the security operatives.
The administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma according to Obowo has changed the transport system in the state, especially stressing that the implementation of the state colour code of blue and white for the commercial vehicle is a giant stride. He equally expressed delight over the working relationship existing between the governor and the commercial drivers in the state.
According to him, the traffic lights and the constructions of some roads have eased the flow of traffic in the state and therefore enjoined the commercial drivers to support the 3R government to make the state transport system the best in the country. He urged those who are yet to paint and capture their vehicles to do so without delay, insisting that the law will catch up with defaulters in no time.
