Emeuwa Francis l Wednesday, Sept 23, 2020
ABA, Abia, Nigeria – A non-governmental organization, Focus Initiative Against Touting (FIAT), is partnering with the federal government to rid the society of touting.
The organization, which has already started work in some states of the federation, will initially operate on federal roads alongside military
and paramilitary agencies like the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Armed Forces, and the Civil Defence Corps, among others, to ensure safety and easy passages on all federal roads by motorists without molestation from touts working for motor unions.
Abia State Coordinator of FIAT, Mr. Chima Ubani, told our correspondent in Aba, that arrangements were on to commence operations in all federal roads in the 17 council areas of the state.
Mr. Ubani said officials of government agencies involved in law enforcement as well as recognized motor transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Motor Transport Cooperative Union (COOP), operating in the state, were being coordinated into the scheme, stressing that members of the NGO will not allow unauthorized blocking of roads by touts posing as agents of Local Governments and private motor unions, in a bid to collect unapproved tolls from motor vehicle operators.
According to him, the group will also carry out periodic sensitization programmes to educate roads users and members of the motor unions on the inherent dignity of being an effective and efficient transport sector operative without touting.
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He said the aim of setting up FIAT was borne out of the belief that decent measures could be put in place on Nigeria’s transport sector and road usage management while making revenue for government.
He further said the volunteers that will initially man the organization, were taxing themselves to raise funds while soliciting for assistance from good spirited individuals and corporate organizations.
