As the festive season approaches, the familiar rush for road travel begins. In a crucial advisory, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Kwara State Branch, has issued a stark warning to travelers: your choice of boarding point could be the difference between a safe journey and a catastrophic one.
By Toba Ajayi
Ilorin, Dec. 18, 2025
Comrade Abdulrahman Onikijipa, Chairman of RTEAN in Kwara State, has implored residents to make safety their paramount concern during the yuletide travels. In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, Onikijipa emphasized a single, critical action: patronize only government-recognized and approved motor parks.
This warning cuts to the heart of a common, yet perilous, travel habit. Many passengers, lured by marginally lower fares or sheer convenience, opt to board vehicles from unauthorized roadside pick-up points. “The appeal of a ‘cheap alternative’ can have dire, even tragic, consequences,” Onikijipa stated. He explained that this practice creates a dangerous loophole in the travel safety ecosystem.
The Hidden Safeguards of a Recognized Park
Why is a formal motor park inherently safer? Onikijipa’s advice points to a system of accountability often absent from informal pick-ups:
- Driver and Vehicle Verification: Recognized parks maintain registers of accredited drivers and vehicles. Before a trip, details are recorded, creating a traceable link. A roadside driver is, by definition, anonymous.
- Formal Documentation: “You will be duly registered before embarking on your journey,” Onikijipa noted. This process isn’t mere bureaucracy; it ensures there is an official record of your travel, which is vital in case of an incident.
- Deterrence of Criminal Elements: The festive season, with its heightened movement and cash-carrying passengers, attracts individuals with malicious intent. “There are different people parading themselves as transporters, but have evil agenda,” he cautioned. Organized parks, with their security presence and oversight, are far less attractive to such criminals.
- Regulated Operations: Parks often enforce basic safety checks and have agreements with drivers against dangerous practices like overloading.
A Two-Way Street: Advice for Drivers
Onikijipa’s message wasn’t for passengers alone. He issued a parallel plea to drivers, highlighting their shared responsibility:
- Avoid Roadside Pick-ups: Just as passengers should not board randomly, drivers should refrain from the risky practice of picking up passengers from unauthorized locations. It compromises the same system of safety and accountability.
- Shun Excessive Speed: With roads more congested and emotions high, the temptation to speed is great. Onikijipa urged drivers to prioritize caution over haste to ensure their safety and that of their passengers.
Making the Right Choice: A Practical Guide
How can travelers practically implement this advice?
- Plan Your Departure Point: Before travel day, identify the official park for your route. A quick inquiry from local transport authorities or trusted sources can provide this information.
- Resist Convenience Traps: If a vehicle is soliciting passengers far from a park, ask yourself why. The few naira saved or minutes gained are not worth the immense risk.
- Look for Signs of Legitimacy: Official parks typically have signage, booking offices, uniformed staff, and a visible fleet of vehicles. Use these as indicators.
In essence, Comrade Onikijipa’s call is a reminder that safety is a collective contract. By choosing the recognized park, a traveler actively chooses a documented journey, a verified driver, and a layer of institutional protection. This yuletide, let safety, not just cost or convenience, dictate your travel decisions. The journey is as important as the destination.
Reported by Toba Ajayi for NAN. Edited by Sandra Umeh.
For more safety tips and verified travel advisories, visit (www.nannews.com).
