Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has initiated a decisive clampdown on all illegal motor parks across the state, effective immediately. This action aims to curb the exploitation of commuters and drivers, who have faced exorbitant charges and unclear levies during a time when the state government is striving to reduce transportation fares.
In a statement issued on Monday, Governor Abiodun revealed that two illegal garages had already been shut down—one at the NNPC Junction and another opposite the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta. The operation was executed by the State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, led by Chairman Alhaji Farook Akintunde.
The governor’s directive extends to a statewide crackdown on illegal garages, particularly targeting areas such as Mowe-Ibafo and Sango-Ota. He highlighted that these unauthorized garages not only exploit commuters but also pose security risks, serving as potential hideouts for criminals due to the shanties and makeshift structures commonly associated with them.
“As a responsible government, we will not fold our hands and watch operators of these garages expose our people to unnecessary danger,” Abiodun asserted. He emphasized that this is a crucial period for residents, who deserve every effort to alleviate the current economic challenges facing the country.
Furthermore, the governor urged residents to refrain from using illegal garages and instead opt for government-recognized facilities or government-operated CNG buses, which offer lower fares and enhanced comfort.
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This crackdown comes in response to recent protests by commercial drivers in the Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo areas, who expressed frustration over multiple levies imposed by transport union workers, known as Agberos. Drivers reported being subjected to arbitrary fees, with daily transport union fares surging from N4,000 to N6,000, causing significant hardship. They have appealed to the governor for intervention to end the extortion practices that have plagued their operations.
