By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Ondo State Government has warned against indiscriminate display of vehicles in unauthorized places within Akure metropolis as any car dealer caught will be sanctioned.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, who gave the warning while inspecting some car locations in Akure,the state capital to ensure full compliance with government’s directive advised the car dealers to comply with physical planning rules and relocate to the ultra modern Auto Mart along Akure-Ilesha express road.
The inspection team led by the Commissioner visited places like Oyemekun Road, Fiwasaye to Agbogbo axis down to Ilesha road, through Oyemekun road and to Oke-Aro in Akure in a bid to ascertain the level of compliance by car dealers with government’s directive.
While on the inspection, vehicles displayed in some unauthorized places without government’s approval were confiscated and towed to the ministry’s headquarters by the enforcement team of the ministry.
It would be recalled that the ministry had held several meetings with Car Dealers Association to sensitise and inform them of government’s decision concerning vehicles displayed within the heart of the city without proper approval.
The ministry equally embarked on sensitisation through the media on the need for them to move to the Auto-mart.
Meanwhile, the two weeks deadline given to them to vacate has expired on September 18.
Speaking with newsmen after the inspection tour, Prince Amodeni expressed displeasure over non compliance of some car dealers with government directive stressing that there are 11 slots and enough space to accommodate vehicles at the Auto Mart garage in Akure.
He affirmed that any car confiscated and towed to the ministry will attract huge fines and owners thereafter will be charged to court.
Reacting to the development, the state Secretary, Car dealers Association, Mr. Olumide Balogun commended the present administration for the initiative even as he urged car dealers to comply with government’s directive.
The Secretary, who informed that some of the dealers have since moved to the Auto-Mart noted that it will be an added advantage for those outside the Auto-Mart if they move in.
According to him,empty spaces are in the Auto-Mart enough to accommodate vehicles displayed in indiscriminate places in the town.
Others who spoke urged the government not to be deterred in its efforts to make Akure a beautiful capital city, by enforcing its directive on car dealers irrespective of who is involved.
