MOTOR PARKS IN ABAKALIKI RELOCATE TO CENTRAL PARK NEAR INTERNATIONAL MARKET

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Government has relocated all transport companies and motor parks operating within the capital city to the new Central Park opposite International Market, Abakaliki.

Radio Nigeria observed that passengers who came out to board vehicles to their destinations were disappointed as they were asked to move to the new park.

The move to relocate all transport companies and motor parks operating within the capital city of Abakaliki came into effect in October when the Ebonyi State Government sealed their premises for ignoring a standing order to move to the Central Park.

As a result of the situation, some mass transit operators boycotted Ebonyi State, prompting a meeting between the group and the state government.

It was however gathered that the relocation followed the expiration of one month grace given to the transporters by the state government during the meeting.

A driver at the new park said though the premises was spacious to accommodate many transport companies, it lacked proper planning.

A commuter, who gave her name as Chinaemerem, expressed reservations over the condition of the new park and called on the state government to provide necessary facilities such as fence, roads and conveniences in the area.

The relocation also affected food vendors operating within the old motor parks as their patronage had dropped while others who managed to relocate to the new park complained of lack of shelter.

The State Commissioner for Capital City Development in, Mr. Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, who monitored the relocation of the parks, explained that necessary facilities would be put in place to ease operations in the area.

Mr. Nwaebonyi said the relocation was to restore the master plan of the capital city of Abakaliki, noting that it was also why his Ministry ordered the demolition of a church at Uguru Nguga Street, Azugwu Abakaliki some days ago.