By Our Correspondent
The Anambra State Government has introduced digitally identifiable reflective jackets for authorised motor park workers and commenced the pilot phase of a commercial vehicle numbering and digital profiling programme to strengthen security, accountability and order in the transport sector.
The initiatives were unveiled on Friday in Awka by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edward Obiefuna Ibuzo, as part of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s efforts to modernise transport administration through digitisation and effective regulation.
Ibuzo explained that the approved jackets would help distinguish authorised park workers from impostors involved in impersonation, illegal levies, touting and unauthorised revenue collection.
He stressed that the jackets were symbols of official identification and accountability, warning that wearing one did not confer law enforcement powers or authorise the collection of unapproved fees.
The commissioner said the jackets would be issued to recognised park workers across the state’s 21 local government areas and linked to a verifiable identification system.
He also announced the commencement of a pilot programme to number and digitally profile commercial vehicles operating in Anambra State.
According to him, the initiative will establish a database containing information about commercial vehicles, their operators and approved routes to improve security, monitoring and transportation planning.
“Our objective is simple: We must know who operates our commercial vehicles, where they operate, and how to ensure their accountability, safety and security,” Ibuzo said.
He explained that the system would enable relevant authorities to identify commercial vehicles and trace their operators when necessary, including during investigations involving suspected criminal activities.
Ibuzo clarified that the programme was an operational identification initiative and would not replace statutory vehicle registration or official number plates.
He added that the pilot phase would help the ministry assess the system, engage transport operators and address implementation challenges before expanding it across the state.
The commissioner assured drivers that the exercise was not intended to impose unnecessary financial burdens but to promote transparency, efficiency and safety.
He urged transport associations, park owners and managers to cooperate with the ministry, directing park managers to report newly employed or disengaged workers to ensure that official records remained accurate.
Ibuzo said the initiatives complemented other reforms, including the harmonisation of transport associations, improved motor park management, the elimination of illegal loading and offloading, and efforts to curb unauthorised revenue collection.
He expressed confidence that the reforms would make Anambra’s transport system more organised, secure and accountable.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, commended Ibuzo for translating the digitisation proposal into a practical initiative.
Mefor recalled that the proposal was presented at a meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council, where members welcomed the idea but questioned how it could be implemented successfully.
He said the launch demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving transport administration and public safety.
“I am a witness to the launch of this wonderful initiative, which will help promote quality security in the state. This programme is in tandem with the governance philosophy of Governor Charles Soludo,” he said.
During the ceremony, the Ministry of Transport demonstrated how commercial vehicles could be profiled through an online platform.
The ministry explained that the identification numbers would facilitate vehicle verification and help security agencies trace vehicles and their operators when linked to criminal activities.
The exercise will also involve revalidating records across motor parks to ensure proper documentation and improve security consciousness among transport operators.
The ceremony was attended by public and private motor park managers and other stakeholders in Anambra State’s transport sector.
Tags: Anambra State, Soludo, Transport Digitisation, Edward Ibuzo, Commercial Vehicles
