Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has restricted the movement of motorcycles and tricycles in the state from 6:00am to 7:pm.
The Government has also directed that every commercial vehicles operating in the state including tricycles must be registered and documented for easy identification.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, who announced this at a press conference in Umuahia on Tuesday, said the directives were part of necessary measures to arrest the disturbing incidents of street robbery in parts of the state.
The Commissioner who was flanked by his Information counterpart, Prince Okey Kanu, however, said the restriction would take effect from July 1st in Umuahia and Aba metropolis.
He, however, emphasised that the registration/documentation of all commercial vehicles which would be overseen by a committee to be headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander Macdonald Ubah, would be free of charge.
Prince Nwachukwu, also said that it was not intended to bring pain on the masses but improve their security, adding that Government would engage with security agencies to apply human face during implementation of the directive.
He appealed to members of the public to make necessary adjustments and comply with the directive which, according to him, is in the best interest of the masses.
The Commissioner who said most robbery incidents occur at late evening and early morning hours, re-stated the resolve of the Gov. Alex Otti-led administration to make the state not conducive for criminals.
Adding their voices, Chairman Aba Motorcycle Operators Union, Azubuike Chigozie; his Umuahia counterpart, Chiemela Ugbaja; Godson Apollos, said they were in agreement with Government on the security measures.
They promised to mobilise their various members for compliance.
