Soludo’s Riot Act, Bans Commercial Tricycle, Shuttle Bus Unions In Anambra

• Orders touts out of motor parks

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – For allegedly orchestrating the breakdown of law and order in Anambra state, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of has banned commercial tricycles (Keke) and shuttle bus unions in the state.

Also, the governor has announced the immediate disbandment of illegal groups and the sacking of touts (Agbero) from motor parks across the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, announced the State government’s decision in a signed public notice announcement released in Awka, the State capital on Thursday.

According to Nwosu, by the notice, the government has directed all the sacked motor park touts to proceed and register in their respective local government areas for government-sponsored training and life-supporting skills going forward

The statement said security reports available to the government indicate that those masquerading under different names as tricycles (Keke) and shuttle bus unions were involved in orchestrating the breakdown of law and order in the state

It further cited the numerous conflicts arising from various persons and entities claiming to be the appropriate authority to unionize tricycle and shuttle bus operators or owners who had openly rejected these claims and insisted that the unions were not working for them.

The public notice stated thus; “In the light of the above and in order to forestall breakdown of law and order, the state government hereby suspends all tricycle and shuttle bus unions in the State with immediate effect for six months, pending further investigations and possible harmonization of the unions which shall have a leadership known to, and recognized by, the State Government.

“Consequent on this and as a follow up to government’s recent consultation with the direct representatives of tricycle and shuttle bus operators, Government has considered their plea and decided to offer them a convenient payment option and other fringe benefits that could add value to their well-being.

“Tricycle operators now have the option of paying N4,000 weekly or N15,000 monthly. However, tricycle operators in the eight (8) Local Government Areas that are affected by the curfew will pay N3000 weekly or N12,000 monthly. They will revert to the normal rates of N4,000 weekly or N15,000 monthly as soon as the curfew is lifted. Shuttle bus operators will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly.

“But because of the ASUU strike that resulted in the closure of universities, NANS shuttle bus will pay N2,500 weekly or N10,000 monthly. This group will also revert to the normal rates of N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly as soon as the strike is called off.

“Taxi will pay N4,375 weekly or N17,500 monthly. The Township buses will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly. Mini trucks and Pickups will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly respectively. Intra-state will pay N6,250 weekly or N25,000 monthly.

“Loading and offloading in Government (public) parks will now be free. Moving forward, every compliant commercial vehicle driver will get a free Health Insurance cover that would enable the insured to have access to basic health and emergency services in any Anambra State hospital.”

On the activities of motor park’s touts, the statement said; ”Government wishes to reiterate its ban on touts (agberos) and cult groups that are used to enforce illegal collection of tolls and taxes. Only government-accredited agents are entitled to collect tolls.

“Alternatively, the commercial vehicle operator could go and pay at any of the banks or any Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) pay point nearest to him.”

Urging operators and members of the public to report the activities of touts to designated telephone numbers for immediate action, the statement said the disbanded motor park touts and cultists “who have no jobs should go and register their names and phone numbers with their Local Government Area offices. The government will train them on life-supporting skills or find them other means of livelihood that would enable them to live a decent life.”

Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the State’s transport sector have welcomed the government’s decision and expressed optimism that it would bring about sanity and provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive

This is coming on the heels of the recent two-day protest march by Keke and shuttle bus operators over an alleged N7.2 billion annual tax imposed on them by the state government.