By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

The Abia Government says it has empowered the State Harmonised Task Force, in collaboration with security agencies, to impound any motorcycle found operating within the metropolitan cities of Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen in Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Gov. Alex Otti.

Kanu said that any impounded motorcycle would only be released upon the payment of N50,000 fine within 30 days of impoundment.

He said that failure to pay within the stipulated period would lead to a forfeiture of the motorcycle to the State Government.

He also said that the ban required all motorcycles, both private and commercial, to be registered under the state’s ongoing vehicle enumeration programme, which commenced about 18 months ago.

The commissioner explained that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue would maintain a database of all enumerated motorcycles.

He said that reflective jackets or branded aprons, bearing unique identification codes, would be issued to operators across the three senatorial zones for easy identification.

Kanu said that private, courier and delivery motorcycles would not be allowed to carry passengers under the new regulation.

He said that the State Government, as a citizen-focused administration, had commenced plans to introduce measures to cushion the effect of the restriction on commuters and operators.

He said that a steering committee, in collaboration with members of the Harmonised Task Force, would engage stakeholders, transport unions and members of the public to ensure proper sensitisation and enlightenment on the policy.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Navy Comdr. MacDonald Ubah (rtd.), said the ban was in the overriding interest of public safety, given prevailing security challenges across the country.

Ubah said that intelligence reports indicated that criminal elements had increasingly exploited motorcycles to perpetrate crimes.

He urged operators to comply with the registration process to ensure easy identification and accountability.

He also called on the media to support public sensitisation efforts.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, threw more light on the policy, saying that the ban applied only to metropolitan cities.

Ekeoma said that the measure was introduced to strengthen security surveillance and check criminal activities in urban centres. (NAN)