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AVOIDING DUPLICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF IBOM TAXI SCHEME - June 2009

In an attempt to address the perennial transportation problems faced in Akwa Ibom State , the administration of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, Executive Governor of the State introduced a taxi scheme.

The Objectives of the scheme, which has been adjudged even by critics as a welcome development and a step in the right direction was to convert many of commercial motorcycle operators plying most urban centers into taxi owners, as well as create a poll where other unemployed youths in the State could become self reliant thereby contributing their quota towards the growth of the State.

For a start, over 200 taxis were commissioned and distributed to beneficiaries who had made a down payment of at least N150, 000. The accumulated amount through this deposit was lodged in an account managed by the Ministry of special Duties, that also manages the scheme pending the establishment of a substantive company.

Few months ago, the state government with a good intention to ensure that the scheme does not fail but live up to expectation, created Akwa Ibom Urban Taxi Network Limited with the appointment of a General Manager to see to the effective and smooth administration of the company.

Therefore with the coming on board of Akwa Ibom Urban Taxi Network Limited, one would have expected that everything concerning the Taxis and even buses would have been transferred to the new company for proper overseeing and management.

But that is not the situation, rather, every issue of Taxis, is still under the control of the Ministry of Special Duties. Thereby raising pertinent questions as to the rationale behind of government’s decision to establish a substantive company to man the scheme. And what becomes of the functions of the management of the ATNUL in such a bedeviling scenario? Who is to be held accountable whenever issue bothering on the financial appropriation or misappropriation is raised?

A further probe into the wherewithal of the Ibom Taxi Network Company reveals that the account of the scheme, its regulation, funds among other tools concerning the scheme are still in the control of the Ministry of Special Duties thereby making the Company just a container without contents.

It is therefore our opinion that the State Government adopts a holistic approach if its intention of setting up the company to manage the affairs of the taxi scheme is to be achieved. This is by streamlining the policies guarding the Company.

Government should among other things ensure that the company is allow to operate optimally by mandating the ministry to hand off responsibility concerning the taxis as well as the buses to the company to demonstrate its worth and administrative acumen as regard the scheme.

Government should without further delay formulate workable framework that would enhance the smooth running of the company. Aside that takeoff grants should be provided to assist the management of the scheme in handling all other sundry responsibilities as might be expected of such organization.

It our believe that granting the expected autonomy to the taxi scheme company is the only way forward for making the set goal of ensuring that in no distant time all commercial motorcycle operation is completely phase out is achieved as well as having guaranteed to the prudent management of funds accruing to the scheme through deposits hence the need for the account of the scheme to be henceforth controlled by the company rather than the Ministry as it presently the case can never be overemphasized.

Since it is a known fact that a scheme of that magnitude needs special care government should assist the company to establish a special mechanic village where all spare parts purchased, maintenance and repairs works on the vehicles are carried out. This will go along way in safeguarding the lifespan of the vehicles.

Duplication of any duty has not been known to enhance accountability, proficiency as well as good results, therefore such management abnormally and defect should be avoided in this scheme.

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