Mr Olayinka Onikijipa, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Kwara, has applauded the Federal Government for lifting the ban on interstate movement.
The federal government on Monday announced the lifting of ban on interstate movement from July 1.
Onikijipa said that the development was a welcome decision and that the union had put in place guidelines to ensure that both drivers and passengers do not disobey government directives on preventing the spread of COVID-19.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for considering the suffering of the commercial transporters.
“We are very happy at the development. This marks the end of hunger caused by the pandemic.
“We appreciate our president and the Federal Government for lifting the ban and for all they are doing to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“We have put up our own sets of guidelines in accordance with the government directives, and we are going to ensure it is adhered to.
“We have made arrangements for infrared thermometers to be used at all our parks, so that passenger temperatures can be checked before they board any of our vehicles.
“We have also told all our members to have alcohol based hand sanitisers in their cars and all passengers and drivers must make use of nose masks.
“We are also going to ensure physical and social distancing in our vehicles and parks,” he said.
Onikijipa therefore urged the public and passengers to cooperate with the union by adhering strictly to these guidelines when boarding commercial vehicles at the parks as it was for the protection of everyone.
