Abia moves identify fake motor parts dealers, plans clusters for car wash operators

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia Government says it would soon come up with measures to identify and sanction dealers who sell fake motor spare parts to motorists in the state.

This is just as it further disclosed of plans to establish clusters for car wash operators in order to check the damage their activities were doing to public utilities across the state.

State Commissioner for Transport, Chief Godswill Uche Nwanoruo, who made this known during separate meetings with officials of two Special Trade Groups under his Ministry in Umuahia.

The two Special Trade Groups were the Motor Spare Parts Dealers, Auto-mechanics, Auto-electricians, Car Painters, Motor Dealers, Tyre Sellers and Vulcanizers operating at different locations in Aba and Umuahia; and Car Washers group.

Nwanoruo told the Chairmen and Secretaries of the Special Trade Group of Motor Spare Parts Dealers that his Ministry would carry out periodic accreditation of dealers who must obtain a customized Special Trade Permit for easy identification.

The permit, he said, would help to identify those who do not deal in genuine materials and subject them to severe sanctions. Additionally, Nwanoruo said the permit would help members of the Special Trade Group to access assistance from government and other agencies.

He noted that selling expired or sub-standard motor spare parts, especially tyres, to unsuspecting motorists remained a threat to the safety of commuters, as sub-standard tyres could lead to road mishaps, including loss of lives and property.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Nayo Okeke, assured that they would reciprocate the sense of belonging shown them by the Ministry by complying with government directives on their operations.

He however appealed that their group, which, majorly consists of youths, be assisted with government grants to boost their business.

In a vote of thanks, the Vice President, Progressive Motor Spare Parts, Aba, Mr Obumneke Nnorom, on behalf of their members, thanked the Commissioner and his management for the meeting, which has made them to know that the Ministry of Transport was their parent ministry and pledged their loyalty and cooperation to the ministry.

Also, in continuation of his interactions with groups of Special Trade under his Ministry, Chief Nwanoruo has decried the indiscriminate siting of car wash centres, saying that the activities of Car Washers were effectively contributing to the short life span road infrastructure in urban centres.

He said that corrosive chemicals used by car washers operating in unauthorized roadside locations damage the roads.

Addressing the Coordinator and leaders of Car Washers along major roads and streets in Umuahia metropolis in his office recently, the Commissioner promised that instead of being scattered all over the streets, Car Washers would be provided locations with boreholes and other amenities,  to make their businesses easy and organised,  without encumbrances.

He added that the Ministry would henceforth monitor and regulate activities of Car Washers to bring them in line with modern practices, in a bid to curb the menace being caused by their activities.

Speaking also, General Manager of Abia State Public Utilities Maintenance Agency (APUMA), Mr. Akpulonu A. Obinna, stressed the need to safe-guard amenities put in place by the government for   public use.

Obinna expressed displeasure over the destruction of roads and drainages by Car washers and borehole owners who channel their waste to asphalted roads; and called for a stop to such practices.

Responding on behalf of the operators, the Coordinator of the Umuahia Metropolitan Car Washers, Mr. Patrick Onwubuariri, thanked the Commissioner for his fatherly approach and assured him that those at the meeting would reach out to others, with a view to working according to government directives.

In a vote of thanks, Messers Timothy John and Martins Uwalaka of Umuwaya-Obuohia Car Wash, thanked the Ministry for identifying them, and appealed that they be encouraged to contribute their quota to the growth of the state through their services to the motorists.

Present at the meetings were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Clara Okere, Prince Fidelis Nnadi, a Consultant on Accident Prevention Initiative and other Management Staff of the Ministry.