Transport Operators under the aegis of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria, on Wednesday resumed operations in Onitsha, Anambra state following Federal Government’s suspension of interstate movement.
The operators also held an emergency meeting to further strengthen compliance and review transportation fare as a result of reduction of number of passengers to be transported by each vehicle.
Briefing newsman on Wednesday, National Taskforce Chairman, Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria, Chief Joseph Ejiofor, warned that members who flout the COVID-19 protocols especially overloading of vehicles and compulsory use of face masks by passengers would be penalized.
He said, “Defaulting transport company would pay N20,000 besides the stipulated penalty of N50,000 by the Federal Government.
“Members have agreed to reduce their number of passengers in the luxurious buses from 57 to 30 to ensure the social distance protocol.
“For smaller buses, passengers to be carried will now be nine as against 14 passengers while five passengers will now be allowed in Sienna buses as against seven.
“We have mapped out plans to monitor compliance across the country. COVID-19 is real. We are safer when no one is affected by COVID-19 disease.”
Expressing delight over the lifting on interstate travel ban, Ejiofor further assured that meetings would be held with various state governments to ensure strict enforcement.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Uchenna Motors Nig. Ltd, Uchenna Akuegbu, regretted loses and damages they incured during the lockdown, appealing to the Federal Government to assist them recover.
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