Determined to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease into the state, the Rivers State Government has charged taxi and commercial bus drivers to henceforth take only three and 10 passengers respectively in their vehicles at a go.

The State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Sam Ejekwu, who gave this charge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, also said that while a passenger was expected to occupy the front seat of a taxi, only two passengers should occupy the back seat of the same vehicle.

For 14 or 18-seater commercial buses, Ejekwu maintained that while only one passenger must seat by the side of the drive, three persons were expected to occupy each row of a commercial bus.

He said it was necessary to issue the rules after the State Ministry of Transport met with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and other stakeholders in the state’s transport sector.

According to the statement, “Everyone is aware of the challenges being faced by the global community around the COVID-19 pandemic. Commencing from Monday, the 23rd of March, 2020, all operators of commercial vehicles and passengers shall comply with the following regulations:

“All taxis shall admit or take a total of three passengers namely one person in the front seat and two persons at the passenger sides immediately behind the front seats.

“It is an offence to condone, connive or be an overloaded passenger. A person is said to be overloaded if found seated next to the door either in the front section of the vehicle or on the door side for the passenger immediately behind the front seats.

“All buses shall admit or convey a total of five passengers for Suzuki buses, 10 passengers for 14 and 18-seater buses. One passenger in the front seat and three passengers per seat row subsequently. Two passengers at the back for Keke NAPEP. Just the rider in the front seat and two passengers at the back.”

The commissioner added that beginning from Monday, March 23rd, 2020, all passenger must maintain regular queues and orderly lines to avoid needless rough contacts and struggles that could to altercations and spitting out droplets.

Speaking further, Ejekwu said:

“All taxis and buses shall keep and restock their vehicles with wipes, tissues and other disposable items for use by passengers to wipe down the car doors and other handles.

“These directives shall be supervised, coordinated and enforced by the Road Marshalls of the Ministry of Transport, Rivers State and NURTW officials.

“Members of the public and transport operators are enjoined to give the state government their fullest support at this challenging moment of our collective existence.”