By Imelda Osayande
The Edo Government on Wednesday, announced an extension of enforcement of its commercial vehicle colour coding scheme untill Feb. 1.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Saturday Idehen, diaclosed this during a meeting with commercial vehicle operators in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decision was sequel to appeal by a group of commercial drivers.
Idehen, however, warned members of the public against impersonating Edo government officials, in a bid to extort motorists, adding that same was not authorised.
The commissioner also clarified that the Ministry has not commenced full-scale enforcement of the schemes in Benin.
He explained that the only authorised enforcement exercise was conducted at the Sapele Road–Ikpokpan Junction, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA).
“The people alleged to be enforcing in other areas are not from the Ministry of Transportation.
“They took advantage of our announcement to impersonate us; We did not extend enforcement beyond Sapele Road–Ikpokpan Junction, and that exercise was carried out with the police and EDSTMA.
” Anyone enforcing outside this framework is acting illegally; For emphasis, any enforcement carried out without a sitting mobile court in designated areas is not authorised by the Ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, he commended the drivers for their orderly conduct and for choosing dialogue over protest, noting that government values orderliness, security, peace, and economic progress.
He further explained that the colour coding exercise goes beyond painting, but also involves profiling drivers and vehicle owners, as well as issuing unique serial identification codes.
“These include tricycles (Keke NAPEP), motorcycles, Yaris taxis, minibuses, Vanettes, Mitsubishi buses, and other commercial vehicles.,” he added
The Commissioner pointed out that a failure to comply with the scheme after the period of grace, would attract enforcement, adding that vehicles earlier seized will be released following the drivers’ appeal.
Speaking on behalf of the drivers, Mr. Osas Odion, expressed the group’s support for the initiative, following rising insecurity linked to commercial buses, adding that it will aid proper identification of buses. (NAN)