BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME
PORT HARCOURT—  Rivers State government has constituted a special joint civilian/military task force to tow vehicles parked in wrong places in the state capital.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who spoke on the task force in Port Harcourt weekend, said it was made up of military, police and officials of the state government.

According to him, the task force is to remove vehicles parked in wrong spots and charge the owners fines to have their vehicles released.
The governor said churches would only be spared if they paid a specific amount of money into the state coffers for their worshippers to park along the road during service.

The governor explained that the action of the government was intended to decongest the state capital and allow free flow of traffic.
He advised churches to provide parking lots for their members.

The task force, which would commence operation at the end of the National Sports Festival holding in Port Harcourt next month, would get ten percent from the total money generated from fines on impounded vehicles, while the balance would go to the state coffers, as part of internally generated revenue.

Governor Amaechi said the task force would ensure that traders left the roads to do their businesses in the market.

He said it was sad to note that traders had moved their wares from their stores in the market to roads, an act that would no longer be tolerated by the state government.

He assured that his administration would continue to take steps to protect lives and properties, noting that the government had identified indiscipline and lawlessness as part of the twin problems facing Nigerians.