Movement was halted last Thursday and Friday in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, as shuttle bus and commercial tricycle drivers stopped working.
Due to the protesters’ strike, workers and traders who were getting ready to depart for work were prevented from getting to their workplaces and places of business.
Many people, including children and kids who couldn’t get to school because the bus operators weren’t there, were spotted waiting at bus stops. However, until tricyclists began to appear at significant intersections about 10 am, lighting bonfires and screaming protest songs, it was unclear to many what could have gone wrong.
Group Confronts Ohanaeze Youths Over Soludo’s Anti-Igbo Remarks
There is a significant amount of cultism in Awka, which many people have attributed to tricycle drivers, their union leaders, and influential people who profit from numerous dedicated routes throughout the city.
Recently, Governor of Anambra State Prof. Chukwuma Soludo announced a new tax structure for operators and provided a grace period that has since ended. After the grace period expired, Soludo declared that instead of paying tax daily as they had been doing, the State’s tricycle operators will now pay tax monthly.
A press release from the State Internal Revenue Board, signed by the Chairman/Chief Executive, Mr Richard Madiebo stated in part that: “Tricycle operators will pay a monthly N15,000, shuttle bus operators will pay N20,000 monthly.”
Operators showed some reluctance due to the size of the payment, but the State government did well to explain it, stating that before to that, operators paid revenue touts up to N1,500 per day, which amounted to over N40,000 per month.
However, the union leaders welcomed the operators in an effort to stay relevant, which sparked the demonstrations. The State government has taken action by speaking with the operators and issuing new orders in an effort to address the transportation issue in the State.
Human rights advocate Comrade Osita Obi, Coordinator of the Keke Drivers’ Association, who observed a two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday following the demonstration on Thursday and Friday, blamed the union members who invited the operators for a protest.
According to Obi, the N15,000 monthly payment is not the tricycle operators’ main complaint; rather, it is the ongoing harassment they will experience after paying the sum, as they are still required to send money to touts who collaborate with their union leaders and pose as revenue agents, defying the governor’s directive that after the N15,000 was paid, no more money would be paid.
After becoming aware of the touts’ ongoing operation, Prof. Soludo banned them. The government made significant choices in a press statement that was signed by Sir Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information.
Anambra: Islamic Group Hails Soludo Over Ban On Mini-Skirts
“In order to forestall a 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. This is pending further investigations and a possible harmonization of the unions which shall have a leadership known to, and recognized by, the State Government. 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,” he said.
The commissioner, Nwosu said he has explained how the operators can remit the amounts: “Tricycle operators now have the option of paying N4,000 weekly or N15,000 monthly. However, tricycle operators in the 8 Local Government Areas that are affected by the curfew will pay N3,000 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.”
Considering operators around the university environment and the current ASUU strike, the government said NANS shuttle buses in the area 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. Taxis will pay N4,375 weekly or N17,500 monthly.
UPDATE: Soludo Condemns Killing Of Soldiers In Anambra
“Township bus will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly. Mini trucks and Pick-up will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly, respectively. Intra-state will pay N6,250 weekly or N25,000 monthly. Loading and off-loading 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.
“Government wishes to reiterate its ban on touts (agbero) 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,” the release read.
Soludo has further proscribed all Keke and shuttle bus unions in the State.
Finally, Gov Soludo Unveils Identify Of Unknown Gunmen In South-East
A public affairs commentator, Mr Jude Eze said: “Soludo has taken steps to perfect Anambra, and her revenue, but we hope that he will tame the Keke union. That is where all the trouble is. It is not about pronouncing the proscription, but the ability to enforce it.”
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.