Enugu trains 60 commercial tricycle taskforce members

The Enugu State Government has trained 60 taskforce members of the Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union (ATRTU) to improve their professionalism.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr Ogbonna Idike, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while lifting the ban on the union’s state taskforce announced earlier by the government about two weeks ago.

It would be recalled that the union’s taskforce was banned after the members engaged in a peaceful protest against the taskforce’s unprofessionalism, an incident that disrupted the peace and free flow of traffic within the Enugu metropolis.

Idike said that the taskforce members, who were given intensive but free two days training, were drawn from the three council areas of Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East council areas.

He said that each council had 20 men among the 60 taskforce members trained; adding that after the training, each trainee was given a copy of the new state government guidelines which they must strictly follow daily.

According to him, they were strictly profiled with clear identifications, passport photos, addresses , as well as given clearly marked and operational vests and individual numbers.

He said that during the training they were given specific guidelines on their roles and limitations, manner of approach, courtesy, neatness and the need to work in synergy with ministry officials and security agencies.

“All the training and other modalities put in place for them, which were done free-of-charge, was to streamline their activities to engender professionalism in their operation and engender public peace always.

“This is in line the governor’s vision of improving the overall economy and commercial viability of the state by ensuring a peaceful and non-violent environment on roads for business and human activities to flourish in Enugu State.

“The ministry has also set up a five-member committee to daily monitor the activities of the taskforce members within Enugu metropolis,” he said.

Idike warned that any taskforce member that used his position to defraud, extort or ignite violence and disturb the public peace on the roads would be arrested and prosecuted.

Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Ahamuefula Chikadibia, said that they would abide by the rules and regulations of the government and ensure peace in the state.

Speaking, the Chairman of ATRTU Enugu State, Mr Sunday Ozeh, assured the state government that the union would also set up a team that would daily monitor activities of the taskforce to ensure total compliance.

Chief Benjamin Ika, Chairman of ATRTU Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation to the state government and the ministry for their concern, free training and modalities put in place to improve the professionalism of tricycle operation in the state.

Ika, erstwhile ATRTU Chairman said: “With the assistance received from the government, we are assuring that the union and its reinvigorated taskforce will never disappoint the government even as the union will keep an eye on them,”. (NAN)