Niger State Government is to construct eight modern trailer parks across the state to take advantage of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and gateway to southern part of Nigeria.
Commissioner for Transport Hajiya Ladidi Idris Kuta stated this at the inauguration of officials of Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners NATRO held in Minna Niger state.
Hajiya Ladidi Kuta explained that as the gateway to the North and South there was the need for Niger State to take advantage and invest in transport sector towards boosting its revenue base for economic development and prosperity.
According to her, some of the areas where the trailer parks are to be constructed includes Tata, Lambatta, Mokwa, Tegina and Bida among others.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NATRO), Alhaji Hassan Shiroro, expressed happiness over the approval by Governor Umar Bago for the construction of motor parks in the state.
He said this would help bring development at the grassroots level, improve transportation, and enhance the state’s economy.
Regarding the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Niger State government for the supply of vehicles on a hire purchase basis, the Chairman mentioned that they would like their members to be provided with Gulf, Sharon, and other smaller vehicles to enhance their economic status.
He, however, said that the brand new vehicles provided by the Niger State government following the directive of NARTO Patron and Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago cannot be used by his members due to their high cost.
He suggested that these vehicles should be replaced with smaller ones to enable his members to benefit from such a gesture.
Speaking also, the Chairman Electoral Committee Dr Mohammed Abdullahi Tetengi applauded the NARTO Chairman Alh Hassan Shiroro and members of his committee for making their assignment a huge success and advised the elected officials to be fair and just to all.
COV/ALIYU LAWAL
