By; Buhari B. Bello, Jos.
The General Manager of Plateau Express Service Ltd, Jos, Mr Auden Linus has expressed worry over rising cost of vehicles importation which he asserted will force many transport owners to abandon the business.
He said the vehicle tyres the company purchased N17,500 has now risen up to N32,000, and so, before the end of 2017, if the current recession is not addressed many transport companies will be out of business in Nigeria.
Linus gave made this assertion while speaking to our correspondent at the headquarters of Plateau Riders Assembly Ground, Murtala Mohammed Way, Jos North Local Government Area.
He said following the order from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC for all vehicles to install the speed limit device, the management has complied with over 30 percent “and before the end of the 2017 we are prepare for 100 percent”.
Linus disclosed that the Plateau Express Service Ltd is appealing to the rescue government of governor Simon Bako Lalong to intervene with the buying of additional 40 Transports buses towards replacing the old vehicles to improve service delivery to citizens of the state.
According to him, “the installation of speed limit device is a government idea but on our own case been a government organization we have to comply with the order to ensure that it function effectively”.
“We have started installing tracking devices on all our vehicles to help locate them, we have started before the introduction of the speed limit device” he added.
Linus enumerated some of the challenges facing the transporters especially Plateau Express Service Ltd where all vehicles are aged.
He stressed that the company has not increased her transportation fair in spite of the rising cost of maintenance.
He lauded governor Simon Bako Lalong for his support in the area of transport sector to generate revenue to the government and to improve the quality of life .
Linus advocated for government to join the ministry of Tourism with the transport so as to help in the transportation of visitors to their final destination.
He commended government for the restoration of peace and security to the state and he also solicited the cooperation of the public, private partnership to boost the transport business.
