PESHAWAR, Oct 22: The NWFP minister for transport Mohammad Abbas Khan has expressed his commitment to upgrade and modernize the transport system in the province by providing better facilities at all bus stands.

He was speaking to a meeting convened to redress the grievances of private transporters arising from the implementation of the devolution plan here on Monday.

The meeting was attended by the secretary transport, AIG (Traffic), officials of the excise and taxation department, and representatives of Sarhad Transport Workers Confederation NWFP.

The minister said, “I believe the current problems are the result of the slackness on the part of previous government or transporters but now it is time we concentrated on the transport system and made it efficient,” he added.

He also expressed concern over some of the facilities at bus stands had been converted into business concerns by the managers, which ought to be restored.

While referring to the problems faced by transporters, the minister said that every effort would be made for the resolution of their genuine problems pertaining to the registration fee, route permits and others problems.

The problems faced by transporters as a result of the devolution plan especially with reference to RTA, the minister asked for a detailed report on the matter. He assured the transporters that points raised by them would be given due consideration.—APP