TONY ORAEKI, Awka
Some Keke-Napep and okada operators under the banner of KEKE-NAPEP and Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria,UCKEMORAN, Anambra State Chapter, has commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for declaring 6pm-6am curfew in some parts of the state.
The association said the order would help to caution its members who operate at night hours.
It would be recalled that Governor Soludo made the declaration in a state broadcast last week Wednesday, in Awka.
Soludo took the decision following reports of wanton killings, kidnappings and other insecurity issues affecting the state.
He outrightly banned motorcycles, keke and shuttle buses from operating on Mondays.
According to him: “With effect from tomorrow, Friday, 26th May, 2022, a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice.
Reacting on the development during its state convention held at Ezi-Uzu Hall Awka at the weekend, to give unalloyed support to governor Soludo’s administration, the state Chairman of UCKEMORAN, Chief Arunsi Igbaniuka, said the curfew will also help to checkmate the activities of criminalities in the affected Council Areas.
According to him, the convention is the culmination of our collective efforts (UCKEMORAN), at various local government chapters in Anambra state.
“This is to evince our unalloyed support/solidarity to the present government led by Prof. Soludo and all his seasoned Commissioners, amongst whom is Patricia Igwebuike, the Honourable Commissioner for Transport.
“We have no doubt that Mr. Governor and the Honourable Commissioner for Transport appreciate the basic, foundational, and grassroot position the local and Intercity transportation occupy in the economic development of this state, which we in (UCKEMORAN), represent.
“We are glad that we have sent memos to the present administration that we in (UCKEMORAN), have sufficiently deliberated on how to ensure our unalloyed support and co-operation to the Anambra State Government in Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) and that we have resolved that all the members of (UCKEMORAN), should always present evidence of payment of his government approved dues/levies during our regular supervision.
“This is so, because it’s our collective duty and obligation to ensure that the state’s IGR is properly harnessed, so that we can hopefully expect government intervention and support in the areas of road maintenance, security, as well as contribute towards our association’s welfare.
“Such recognition and approval would however make it possible for (UCKEMORAN), to work in synergy with the government, which relationship would empower (UCKEMORAN), as a body to serve as the government’s eye within the areas of our operation in Anambra State.
“We thank the governor, for freeing us from touts (Agbero), brutalities, harassments, intimidations, humiliation, injury and killings of members over ilegal levy collections,” Igbaniuka stated.
