The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, has announced an extension of the enforcement deadline for the commercial vehicle colour coding scheme following concerns raised by a group of commercial drivers.
City Business News reports that the government has also warned members of the public against individuals impersonating government officials to extort motorists.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Saturday Idehen Uwuilekhue, JP, disclosed this while addressing drivers, clarifying that the Ministry has not commenced full-scale enforcement of the scheme across Benin City.
He explained that the only authorised enforcement exercise carried out so far was at the Sapele Road–Ikpokpan Junction, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA).
Condemning reports of impersonation and extortion, the Commissioner stressed that individuals allegedly enforcing the scheme in other locations are not officials of the Ministry of Transportation.
“The people alleged to be enforcing in other areas are not from the Ministry of Transportation. They took advantage of our announcement to impersonate us. We did not extend enforcement beyond Sapele Road–Ikpokpan Junction, and that exercise was carried out with the police and EDSTMA. Anyone enforcing outside this framework is acting illegally. For emphasis, any enforcement carried out without a sitting mobile court in designated areas is not authorised by the Ministry,” he said.
Hon. Idehen commended the commercial drivers for maintaining order and choosing dialogue over protest, noting that the government places a premium on orderliness, security, peace, and economic progress.
He explained that the colour coding initiative goes beyond repainting vehicles, as it includes profiling drivers and vehicle owners, as well as issuing unique serial identification codes to all commercial vehicles operating in Edo State. The scheme covers tricycles (Keke NAPEP), motorcycles, Yaris taxis, minibuses, Vanettes, Mitsubishi buses, and other categories of commercial vehicles.
According to the Commissioner, while the responsibility of repainting vehicles rests with operators, failure to comply after the grace period will attract enforcement.
“If operators fail to paint their vehicles and enforcement begins, the government will paint such vehicles, and offenders will be required to pay for both the painting and their disobedience. A mobile court has already been set up for this purpose,” he stated.
He also warned drivers against operating vehicles without essential safety features such as side mirrors, describing such practices as dangerous and unacceptable, irrespective of prevailing economic challenges.
Responding to the appeal by the drivers, the Commissioner announced that vehicles earlier apprehended would be released and that the enforcement deadline has been shifted. He confirmed that full enforcement of the colour coding scheme will now commence on February 1, urging drivers to step up sensitisation among their colleagues.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the scheme without harassment, advising the public to report any enforcement activity not conducted by the Ministry and its authorised agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the drivers, their spokesperson, Mr. Osas Odion, expressed support for the colour coding initiative, citing rising insecurity associated with commercial buses. He, however, appealed for an extension of the deadline to allow all operators comply.
According to Odion, the scheme will enhance identification of commercial vehicles operating from specific garages, making it easier to trace those involved in criminal activities such as phone snatching and other offences. He also raised concerns over alleged harassment by individuals who reportedly removed vehicle batteries and demanded illegal payments under the guise of enforcement.
—Gloria Agbongiasede
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Transportation
