Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has said that plans are underway to establish a mechanic village as part of the urban renewal project in the state.
This was disclosed by officials of the state government during a stakeholders engagement involving Ministry of Transport and operators of auto service centres, auto spare parts dealers, auto mechanic and technicians, motor vehicle and caterpillar dealers and Keke dealers among others, on their proposed licensing in the state.
Stakeholders during the meeting had called on the state governor to quickly set machinery in motion to establish mechanic villages in the state, where mechanics site their workshops to render services to the citizens.
They also hinted that the move would not only unite them for easy administration, but also create an avenue for the state government to rake in billions annually from internally generated revenue.
The state Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Patricia Igwebuike, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chief Michael Obiekwe, said the establishment will help decongest the streets and residential areas.
She said: “The establishment of mechanics village is in the pipeline and very soon will be established in the state.
“In the well organised mechanic village, spaces would be allotted to dealers based on their line of trade and services with a well spelt out demarcations.”
At the one-day training and sensitisation programme on licensing, the commissioner advised the stakeholders to key into the new policy of obtaining licence from the government for their various workshops and businesses, stressing that it is only geared towards regulating their operations for their benefit and the society.
A consultant at the event and Cordinator on Special Trade Licence, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Prince Fidelis Nnadi, said every law is made for the good of the society, adding that the programme is all about safety of lives and property in the state, even as he commended the state government for commencing implementation of relevant laws in the state.
Others who spoke at the event, including the Head of Transport Operations, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Mr Christian Okeke, and Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Mr MacDonald Achuam, said the programme was necessary to enlighten participants about relevant laws that affect their operations, adding that the benefits include ensuring that businesses are known beyond immediate environment, as well as having government coverage.
Some participants at the event, including a car dealer, Mr Bosa Okenwa, an automobile electrician, Mr Izuchukwu Agbo, automobile mechanic, Mr Uchenna Aniebonam, and a panel beater, Mr Amobi Uzor, commended the state government for the move to sanitise and regulate their operations.
