Transporters withdraw services into Ebonyi over alleged attacks on members

[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]

Transporters have announced their decision to withdraw their services in Ebonyi State, effective from Thursday, October 7, 2021.

This was disclosed to Journalists by the National Chairman of the Association of Mass Transit Operators (AMTO) Chief Gregory Inyaba in Enugu as part of the resolutions reached at the end of an emergency meeting of the Association on Wednesday.

“From tomorrow, Thursday, October 7, 2021, no commercial vehicle, shall go to Ebonyi or leave the state,” he declared.

Inyaba said the decision was reached on the heels of what he described as unprovoked attacks since Tuesday on staff and facilities, particularly vehicles of members by cultists and thugs working for the Ebonyi State.

“The government of Ebonyi State has asked us to leave the state and we have no choice but leave the state for them henceforth” he said.

He further disclosed that members of Public Transport Owner Association of Nigeria, were also part of the boycott.

“How can you attack vehicles coming into Ebonyi with passengers from other states? It means we can’t bring in people in safety and comfort, and that is declaration of hostility”.

Inyaba directed members of all transport unions in other States of the country to note the directive to boycott Ebonyi State from Thursday, and comply accordingly.

“Do not load passengers from anywhere to Ebonyi State, and members who are inside Ebonyi State must not load passengers out of the state, no matter the circumstances,” he restated.

Ebonyi State government had given all transport operators in the State August 16, 2021, to relocate to the central park located opposite the State international market Abakaliki, in line with the state capital city master plan.

State Commissioner for Capital City Development, Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi while announcing the decision on August this year said there was no going back on the relocation of all parks within the capital city, except Ishieke park otherwise known as students’ park.

However, the decision did not go down well with the transport companies who refused to relocate.

Following the refusal of the transport companies to relocate, the state government through the Ministry of Capital city Development on Tuesday sealed off all the parks in the State, with a view to forcing them to relocate.

Taskforce enforcing the relocation order were said to have smashed vehicles of transporters for flouting the order.

AMTO boss said the Association condemned the action of Ebonyi Government.

He said attempt force their members to abandon their well-developed premises/depots within the state capital and move to a virgin farmland in the outskirts, without first developing the premises was condemnable.