The Commercial Drivers Welfare Association (CDWA) has implemented new safety guidelines in an effort to address the rising danger of ‘one-chance’ attacks and restore commuters’ trust in public transportation services within the state of Rivers.
According to the CDWA, the organization has commenced registration of commercial drivers and their respective vehicles in order to allow commuters and security agencies to distinguish authentic commercial drivers from criminals who pretend to be such.
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Mr. Chris Ezeali, the chairman of CDWA, explained that the move will enable a credible database of commercial drivers and their respective vehicles, making it easy to monitor offenders.
There is also a tightening of rules through the ban of operation of commercial tricycles from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The Rivers State Police Command has also issued a ban on tinting of tricycles, concealment of number plates and stated that unregistered commercial tricycles will be confiscated.
This has come in response to increasing worries about a spate of robberies and kidnappings, including the murder of Jennifer Ihunda, a resident of Port Harcourt, who reportedly died after being kidnapped by suspected criminals posing as commercial drivers.
According to transport analyst Jude Nnam, while he described the registration as a good move, he noted that its effectiveness will depend on strict enforcement and working together of transport unions, security outfits, and community leaders.
He said intelligence gathering, visible policing and elimination of illegal operators on the road are important for putting an end to this menace.
