Operation of the Delta Passengers’ Welfare Scheme established by the law passed by the Delta State House of Assembly is currently under attack by some local government chairmen in the state who have put on boxing gloves against the law.
The Scheme, which has recorded over 80 percent compliance in motor parks across the state, is now under threat following an order by some Local Government Chairmen to motor park operators in the areas to stop the scheme.
In Ughelli North in particular, the Council Chairman, Chief Godwin Adode, was reported to have ordered all motor parks in the area to jettison the Scheme over alleged non involvement of the Council in its operation.
When contacted on the issue, the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON) Delta State chapter, Hon. Victor Ebonka, admitted that the Council Chairmen were not satisfied with the running of the Passengers’ Welfare Scheme and had been directed to stop it in their areas.
Ebonka, who is the Chairman of Ika North East Local Governnent, alleged that there was strong resistance of passengers to the Scheme, and protests by drivers in some of the local government areas, which constituted a security risk.
He added that the Councils were constitutionally empowered to manage motor parks in their areas of jurisdiction, arguing that since the Passengers’ Welfare Scheme was being operated in the motor parks the Councils should be carried along.
On the implementation of the Scheme, the Manager of Sirwalk Transport Company, Mr. Amatu Odoji, said their passengers were already used to the Scheme, which he added was working perfectly well in their Warri park until the Local Governnent Council ordered that it should be put on hold.
Efforts to get the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Basil Ganagana, to speak on the issue were unsuccessful as he did not pick our correspondent’s calls.
It would be recalled that the Delta Passengers’ Welfare Scheme recently compensated victims of an accident involving a Libra Motors vehicle on the Benin – Lagos expressway.
Facebook Comments
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings