Alhaji Awalu Mohammed


By Daniel Dauda, Jos



A Truck Union association of Katako (Laranto),motor park in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State have lamented the continues injustice and Maltreatment meted against them by Jos North Local Council authority, under Shehu Bala Usman led administration over erecting structure on the chunked space at the park.

The Union who raised alarm said they are under threat as a result of harassment and intimidation facing by security personnel recently at the park.

Speaking to our correspondent, Alhaji Awalu Mohammed, member board of trustee in the park opines that "We have been in this park since 1978 with our elders. But recently the Local Government just came in and start erecting structure without any notification given to us.

"So, we already went to them and discuss with them. A park is a park. There no market inside park at any park. So they have already made the effort to build the place. We have made a wider consultation already, reaching all the stakeholders concern but the local government refused to listen to us.

"Actually, so, we have no any other choice than to enter Court which we did. We attend the first proceeding and the matter is coming up again on 6th October, 2020. But to our greatest surprised and shock when we come to the park on Wednesday 30th September, 2020, we saw building going on and we asked why and they said that they have got another court order to continue the building.

"The question is which court gave them the injunction they are claiming? It is the same court already fixed sitting on the 6th October, 2020, and now make a U-turn and grant them an injunction without the knowledge of our Lawyer? Because we did not served and it clearly shows that there is something more to it",Alhaji Awalu stated.

            The ongoing building construction at Katako motor park


He further revealed:"Yes about six months ago we had an interaction with the Local Government. They called our attention to come and meet them in their office which we honored their invitation and went. In the course of our discussion they informed us that they want to build shops inside the park, so we categorically told them that were facing challenges of lack of parking space at the park. Apart from that we also let them to understand that building shops inside motor park will be dangerous and accidental yet they still insist to build.

"As occupants we paying our tax regularly. Both monthly and yearly. Every vehicle park inside the park paid N200; and it may interest you to know that the park is housing uncountable vehicles because it is the only park in Jos.Because the one which former Governor Joshua Dariye, gave us opposite students village hostel, Rusau Farin-Gada, the Jos North Local Government authority sold it recently and no body talk to them about it! Now they have jumped here trying to do same which We are totally against it.

"We are appealing to the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong to intervene on the matter because during his campaign he came here and make a promised to repair a park for us but you can see emerging what is going on now! They have already start selling the park," He concluded

Expressing his displeasure over what going on at the park, a driver named Michael Eze who spent almost 46 to 48 in the park described the action as inhuman.

 He said as a result of the ongoing building their members were total disheartened, trying to take action but we urged all our members nobody should take law into his hands.

"We calling on the government of Plateau State to come to our aid and also the management committee chairman of Jos North Local Government should redress his steps because this is the only park we have."


As at the time of filling this report, efforts made to get the response of management committee chairman of Jos North Local Government Council Over the matter all proved abortive.