24 HOURS... FG to Withdraw Operational Permit of Transporters Who Flout Safety Protocols

The federal government yesterday threatened that the operational permits of transporters who flout safety protocols for COVID-19 will be withdrawn.

It has also expressed worries about the rising cases of the virus in the country, but noted that socio-economic activities cannot be put on hold indefinitely.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki who made this known when she chaired a virtual meeting with the Forum of Nigerian Transport Commissioners, further stated that it was resolved that the implementation guidelines prepared by the Federal Ministry of Transportation would be adopted to minimise the transmission of COVID-19.

The minister, in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press, Mr. Eric Ejiekwe, noted that it was also agreed that all interstate transport operators should apply and can only operate after confirmation of satisfaction of the defined guidelines by the State Ministry of Transportation.

According to her, “the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Transportation at State/FCT level will regularly monitor the implementation and compliance to the guidelines as well as the impact on ensuring safety and minimising the transmission of COVID-19 through the mass transit sector.

The overall objective, the minister reiterated, is to protect passengers, operators and workers, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to provide support for stakeholders.

Saraki disclosed that the guidelines was fine-tuned with that of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

She insisted on the registration of all private travel operators, parks and terminals operators to ensure restricted access, social distancing, disinfection and sanitization, as well as have designated areas to isolate passengers with suspected case of COVID-19 infection.