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Oyo State Government on Monday said the newly introduced Park Management System was to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
It denied the new structure was not in any way a lift on the existing proscription on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The government said the new effort will bring a fresh face to parks and garages management and administration in the state.
The government made the clarification while inaugurating the park managers across the 33 local government areas of the state and two Disciplinary Committees for motorists and tipper operators.
The event at the Conference Room, Ministry of Public Works and Transport was attended by Commissioners Bayo Lawal (Special Duties), Prof Rapheal Afonja (Public Works and Transport) and Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun (Information, Culture and Tourism) among others.
While a former factional leader of the NURTW, Mr Mukaila Lamidi (fondly referred to as Auxiliary) was inaugurated as the Chairman of the State Motor Parks Disciplinary Committee, Mr Adewale Yekeen was inaugurated as the Chairman of the Tipper/Lorry Drivers Disciplinary committee.
Afonja charged the new managers to be disciplined and ensure peace at the various motor parks and garages while also ensuring free flow of traffic.
He said: “This instruction was given by the governor. It is a new park management system that we are implementing.
“We are trying this to make sure we bring in a better structure into our motor parks and garages.
“Soon, other things like infrastructure will fall in place. So, for the main time, these people have been assigned to take charge of the parks on behalf of the state.
“This is not a union system as they are basically employed by the state government. One of the things the governor is doing is to ensure that leakages are blocked and there is an increase in the revenue of the state.
‘’We cannot continue to mortgage our future by borrowing every day to construct or develop our infrastructure.
‘’So, that is why we have this management system in place; to coordinate on behalf of the government.’’
He added: “Another reason why the governor is doing this is to avoid violence among the union people because people feel insecure in the state.
“If there is anyone who, in some way, wants to threaten the peace of the state, such person will face the wrath of the law.
“We are asking the park managers and the committees to make sure that there is no traffic congestion in our state.
“They should coordinate people and make sure that the revenue, which the state is entitled to, get into the state coffers.
“These are the things this government is saddled with the park managers and disciplinary committee for the state.”
Auxillary thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the initiative will rewrite motor vehicles control and administration in the state.
He also confirmed that the new assignment had nothing to do with NURTW operations, which has been banned in the state.
An initial fear enveloped areas like Iwo road, Ojoo, Challenge and others when after the inauguration, Lamidi led hundreds of his supporters to various parks and garages across the state.
Heavy security presence from combined team of police and state anti-crime patrol were however on hand to stem any form of violence.
