DRIVERS UNION, MARKET, TOWN LEADERS URGE ANDY UBA NOT TO GO TO COURT

… Congratulate Soludo

By Uzo Ebele

Following the rejection of the final result of the last Anambra State governorship election which declared Prof. Charles Soludo of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner by Senator Andy Uba the APC candidate in the election, the umbrella body of all bus drivers in the state, Urban Drivers Welfare Association (UDWAAS), Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, the caretaker president of Ogbaru Main Market, Ogbuefi Wilfred Okafor, the President General (PG) of Nkwelle Ezunaka, Chief Cyprian Okongwu, PG of Plywood market, Ogbunike, EzeUdoka Ogbuefi, PG plastic market Ogbunike, Mr Emmanuel Anyegbunam, PG of Bicycle Market, Ogbunike, among others after congratulating Soludo on his well deserved victory urged Senator Andy Uba not to go to court but rather co-operate with Prof. Soludo to move the state forward developmentally noting that the state requires the co-operation of the entire citizens to develop further.

Making this appeal while speaking to newsmen separately in Onitsha, Ogbunike and Nkwelle Ezunaka recently stated that what the state requires now is the cooperation of all to tackle their problem adding that in every contest that a winner must emerge.

On their expectation from the governor-elect Prof. Soludo, the union said that what the state citizenries desires are good governance and continuation of the good legacies of incumbent Gov. Obiano. They said that the citizens of the state expect him to tackle youth unemployment by creating job opportunities, constructing quality roads as well as rehabilitating the already existing ones, abolishing all manners of illegal revenue collection cum riding the roads of fake revenue collectors, putting up a well-knit security system as well as good educational development plans etc.

According to Prince Ohanebo in conjunction with UDWAAS secretary, Comrade Ifeanyi Ogbonna “Soludo should allow UDWAAS to handle ‘Township Bus Service Revenue’ because contracting out to individuals breeds multiple taxation and hike in transportation fares. He should help us access Government Grants and loans to procure vehicles for Airport cabs”.

On his part, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu of Ogbaru market the only international market that made billboard supporting Soludo advised “Touts are embarrassing and maiming our customers. Let revenue collection be restricted to motor parks and market parks. Let political appointees for Markets and parks be for those who understand the terrain”.

Moreover, Chief Nwankwo (Akwukwochukwudelu) warned Andy Uba not to increase his woes by insisting on approaching the court, ” Andy Uba was alleged to have burned Anambra State facilities and sold Ikenga Hotels. If he goes to court it will also be on record. I advise Uba to support Soludo a proven professional. That is what Anambra needs. Soludo should also be careful not to be tempted to embezzle public funds. Let him help construct the roads leading from the expressway into this plywood market because our goods do fall and damage”.

In his remarks, Anyegbunam of Bicycle Market, Ogbunike stated ” Anambra is not Imo State, the use of BVAS by Independent National Electoral Commission made it more transparent despite the few hitches. I wonder which facts Andy Uba will tender to substantiate his claims in court. Soludo should make our roads safer by banning these touts who pursue motorists with sticks in the guise of revenue collectors. Revenue collection should be at the point of loading and the point of delivery. We want to construct the roads leading into our Markets”.

At the plastic market, Ogbunike, EzeUdoka Ogbuefi after thanking God for allowing the will of Anambra people to prevail without bloodshed advised Andy Uba to wait for another opportunity. He pleaded with the incoming administration to tackle traffic gridlocks all over Anambra State by maintaining and constructing roads including roads leading into the plastic market. “We need electricity transformer and construction of Tollgate- plastic market road”.
Also, Ogbuefi Wilfred Okafor,PG Nkwelle Ezunaka appealed to the governor-elect to tackle erosion menace in various communities, market development to improve commerce as well as continue his predecessor N20 million choose your project, creations of a small loan scheme for small scale business, construction of community roads etc.”Soludo should also galvanize other South-East governors to talk about how Nnamdi Kanu leader of IPOB should be granted pardon, it will greatly help to reduce security tension in the entire South East especially in Anambra State”.