From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Determined to tackle insecurity in Kogi State, the state government on Monday began registration of all commercial vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles operators in the state with the aim to reduce crime rates to its barest minimum.
The State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara, rtd, who disclosed this while supervising the commencement of the registration exercise at the Lokoja Township Stadium on Monday, said that the registration became imperative to have data base for all operators and checkmate crimes through policy formation in the state.
Omodara pointed out that Kogi government is desirous to prevent influx of bad elements using medium to wreck havoc on the innocent citizens of the state .
He added that the exercise is intended to improve upon the security of lives and property as well as revenue drive for the state government.
He said that the effort will also be beneficial to all operators on the other hand because after the registration, the number serves as security number to curb theft and other criminal activities.
“We have involved all the critical stakeholders, all the unions to ensure the success of the exercise. It is for their own benefit, it is for the benefit of the people of Kogi State and the state government to have good security in the State” , he noted .
On social intervention programmes, the security adviser noted the data may be used for State Health Insurance Scheme to help the operators, stressing that the exercise would also help the State in the area of internally generated revenue for the state.
Also Speaking, the Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Yusuf Abubarka, said that the exercise is being put in place in collaboration with the state security adviser, adding that it is highly necessary to have the data base of the transporters operating within the confine of Kogi State for security purpose.
He said that the exercise will be spread across the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, stressing that every operators within Kogi State must be registered.
He pointed that the exercise is free for all in the next two weeks with a target of over 5,000 motorcycles in Lokoja , the state capital , warning that those who fail to comply will be sanctioned.
