By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), of Plateau State, Hon. Peter Vwang-Dung, has called on transporters protesting the closure of the popular NTA motor park in Jos to heed to government directives and relocate to the new central motor park erected in the (LGA).
The LGA Chairman said the central motor park known as “Ngo Talatu Jang Motor Park” in Bukuru was commissioned by the State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang in March 2024 was to harmonize all motor parks scattered in the LGA.
Vwang-Dung gave reasons that the NTA motor park was wrongly positioned as the area according to the Jos master plan was only mapped out for residential use.
He gave other reasons to be insecurity and proper accountability of passengers boarding vehicles in the park.
According to him: “The park at MTN opposite NTA is not supposed to be a park. That place is a residential area and not for commercial use.
“The new central motor park in Bukuru was established to centralize operations and adhere to the Jos master plan. We are not going to use two motor parks, only one, that is why they were asked to come to the newly built Ngo Talatu Jang Motor Park”
“The new central park will enhance security and proper management. Passengers boarding vehicles from the new park will have their details recorded for safety and traceability”, he said.
Vwang-Dung response was coming after a mild protest rocked the closure of the NTA park with the aggrieved transporters and petty traders expressing displeasure on the closure of the park.
One of the transporters, Ibrahim Babangida who spoke to newsmen said the new park is quite a distance from the city center and not suitable for commuters who reside in town.
Babangida argued that the relocation would inconvenience passengers and displace drivers and others who rely on the park for their livelihoods.
Others who voiced their displeasure were Miss Victoria David and Tochukwu Ofordike, saying they were unprepared for the move.
Also responding, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Davou Jang, explained that the NTA park was illegal, adding that it is time for the transporters to relocate to the new designated park.
He said the administration of Governor Mutfwang is committed to restoring the state to the greater Jos master plan.
“All illegal structures must give way for the Plateau of our dreams to be actualized.
“The illegal parks within the city center need to move to the ultra-modern park in Bukuru, the Commissioner said.
He emphasized that multiple meetings had been held with all stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and that a deadline had been set and communicated to all affected motor parks.
“Government is determined to enforce all affected parks for relocation. A task-force to ensure compliance is in place. The move is part of a comprehensive strategy to improve urban planning, security, and transport efficiency in Plateau”, he said.
