Jos residents applaud Mutfwang

The Executive Order 003 recently signed by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, restricting the movement of heavy duty trucks within Jos and Bukuru metropolis has brought some semblance of order to the chaotic traffic situation of the past. Our correspondents, Hosea Nyamlong and Jidauna Daring, went to town to sample the opinions of residents on how they feel about the order.

Ladi Emmanuel, a resident of Yelwa Street in Jos North Local Government Area.

HONESTLY, the influx of traders from the popular Terminus market, who left the market, came and occupied residential areas and turned them into warehouses was  becoming disturbing to us. It left residents at the mercy of warehouse owners, who turned our streets into busy commercial areas.

In the past, Yelwa, Vandapuye and parts of St. Paul Cathedral Streets were quiet and peaceful residential areas where citizens enjoyed their stay, until the construction of warehouses. The streets were taken over by trucks which blocked  the  entrances to the  residential areas making it difficult for residents  to access their homes. As a result, residents were forced to park their cars far away from their homes.

But thank God today, the story has changed. I want to commend the efforts of the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang for signing the Executive Order 003 which has stopped  these vehicles from accessing the area during the day time.

I want to assure you that residents have heaved a sigh of relief and seen some changes. Our people can now go to sleep with their two eyes closed without having any fear as it used to be.

Also, truck drivers no longer block the roads with their vehicles but park within the premises of the warehouses, while offloading their goods.

Pastor Azubuike Umeh a warehouse owner on Vandapuye Street

AS a business man, I think it is a welcome development as far as this government policy is concerned. Well,  the Executive Order by the captain of “The Time is Now”, Barr. Mutfwang, needs to be obeyed because government is for the people and whatever government does, is for the benefit of its citizens.

In this regards, it is also true that the primary responsibility of the government is to provide security and protection of lives  and property of its people at all times.

It is on this note that I will like to call on warehouse owners to, as a matter of fact, comply with the order, so as to enable   government to achieve its desired target at the end of the day.

However, businessmen and women are not violators of law but they are promoters of any government laws. I want to assure government of their support and as they are ready to work with the government at any time.

Matawal Isah, a truck driver

WELL, before the Executive Order by the state government, as a driver my movement  was actually not restricted. I transported goods to any part of the state and the country  without any restriction to my movement until the executive order was signed.

I believe that government on its side deems it necessary to put this Order in place so as to reduce the rate of accidents that usually occur at the Polo Roundabout along Gida Biyu road. Many lives and property were lost and as a result of accidents within the area.

The law is a welcome idea but I would want the government to provide alternative routes, like by-pass and to also create parking lots for trucks coming from other states into Jos, the state capital. I am appealing to the Plateau State Government to do some adjustments about the present time given to us, instead of 9pm we want it reviewed to 6 pm to 6am

We are assuring government that truck drivers will fully comply with the government’s directive that restrains all long vehicles during the day.

Theresa Udeji, resident of Yelwa Street and owner of “Lady T-Kitchen” restaurant in the area.

MY experience before the Executive Order was not pleasant.

In the course of off-loading such goods, these trucks often block entrances to residents homes. Most were therefore, forced to park their cars away from their houses, until when such truck finish off-loading goods before the residents would have access to their homes.

As a business woman, when these trucks were off-loading, they normally block the view to my business stopping most of my customers from coming to patronized me. It was also difficult for some of us to talk to the truck drivers to re-park  because some of them were not friendly.

Am pleased to tell you that the Executive Order by the government  is a welcome initiative, which will go a long way in sanitizing the city from parking long vehicles any how within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis.This is an indication that the government has the interest of her citizens at heart.

As am speaking to you now, I don’t have to struggle with the truck drivers to re-park their trucks anymore, because the gesture has ease whatever difficulties we used to encounter with the drivers to do the needful.

To a large extent, the truck drivers have now become organized unlike before and residents are now more comfortable with the development.

Kudos to Mr. Governor, for doing things that have direct bearing on the lives of all and sundry .I therefore, pray this government to succeeds and continue in this spirit to deliver more dividends of democracy to its citizens.