Tricycle Operators Protest Illegal Revenue collection in Onitsha

By polycarp Ifeanyi-Onitsha

Tricycle operators who are operating within Upper Iweka by Triangle in Onitsha, Anambra State have staged protest against illegal revenue touts.

It would be recalled that the Anambra State Government led by Professor Charles Soludo recently suspended all revenue contractors operating in the parks, markets and roads until further notice.

According to the protesting tricycle operators who gathered in their numbers at Onitsha Holiday Resort ” We want Governor Soludo to be aware that some people ade still forcefully collecting money from us despite the ban on touting. Every body is aware that anything revenue has been suspended until government announces the new system but these people insisted that we must be paying”

In there separate comments, Mr. Emeka Ofoma, Mr. John Ibeabuchi and Chidiebere Micheal alleged that the Chairmen of TOAAN Awada chapter, Mr. Tochukwu Obosi and his gangs still engage in collecting money from their members.

They also alleged that certain people from Okpoko, AP, Ndida well and Mcc axis are involved in collecting money from the Keke Operators, adding that those people forcefully collect #500 daily instead of #300 which they paid before the ban on touting.

Similarly, Mr. Obunike Igwe accused the alleged touts of using Sienna vehicles and waste containers to block where Keke Operators are loading passengers since they were banned from collecting money from Keke Operators.

The protesters further stated that their actions would have escalated but were restrained by the Divisional Police Officer of Okpoko, Mr. Ugochukwu Ugbo and his team . They also said, the DPO affirmed the ban on touting by Governor Soludo and had instructed them to report anyone who collects money from them to the police.

Reacting on the incident of touting, the Chairmen of Keke Drivers Welfare Association Anambra State Chapter, Chief Arunsi Igbaniuka described those who are still indulge in touting activities as detractors and enemies of the state.

” It is unfair for some people to violate executive order from Professor Charles Soludo who God sent to reposition Anambra State. Why can’t these people leave main road like their cohorts who have denounced touting activities and ordered their gangs to vacate roads” 

Chief Igbaniuka who said they  had  ordered  their drivers to report to police or union taskforce anyone who demands money from them. He further disclosed that the Union would soon embark on Keke drivers seminar in order to train members so as to restore sanity in the state.

He equally noted that Chief Security personnels ranging from Navy, Army,  police and other sister agencies will be invited to the seminar.

Efforts to reach Okpoko Divisional police Officer, Mr. Ugochukwu Ugbo at the time of filing this report yielded no result as he was not on seat when newsmen visited his office.