By John Ntekim, UYO
Innumerably, tricycle owners and operators in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) congregated at the Ministry of Transport and Petroleum Resources Annex, in a meeting with the Honourable Commissioner for Transport and Petroleum Resources, Rt. Hon. Orman Esin, in the morning of Tuesday, 9th May, 2017.
The meeting also had in attendance, various stakeholders in the transport sector who individually expressed satisfaction with the activities of the ministry's helmsman, in office, targeted at ensuring the welfare of transporters.
He however took same turn to announce newly adopted policies which have been introduced to ease burden on the tricycle operators.
These include the decision to stop sales of tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, as well as plans to provide free stickers for those who would make themselves available for proper registration and data collection by the ministry.
Also, the Honourable Commissioner admonished the operators of tricycles (keke) to be lawful and cooperate with government, as such relationship would attract attract positive results.
"The governor is very interested in the well-being of keke riders. This is why you must be supportive of the government, so that you continue to witness more benefits", he concluded.
Responding on behalf of the members of the union, the State Chairman of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Comrade Ifiok Etim heartily appreciated the efforts of the Rt. Hon. Orman Esin in remodelling the state's transportation sector, after which a declaration of support for governor Udom Emmanuel's stay in office beyond 2017 was unanimously made.
"Today, we have seen the man that is going to elevate TOAN. Commissioner, we say, thank you sir, you have done so well and we keke operators are proud of you. For this reason, we have decided to forward Udom Emmanuel", he exclaimed, amidst thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Addressing the press on departure from the event, Rt. Hon. Esin who is also a former boss of Oron Local Government Council expressed his determination to deliver on the job, despite the activities of detractors.
"I want you people to know that in the transport sector of this state, particularly the land, there is a lot of ill-will and people who are determined to frustrate good works, ...but I am determined also, to put things straight.
I will do everything possible to ensure that the transport sector experiences reform. I want to leave this place better than I met it.
"The concept I have brought to this ministry is to first ensure that the transport system is functional in Akwa Ibom State and then we ensure that the operators are ready to comply with government directives", Hon. Esin explained.
He however narrated harassment of people and other activities which projected the government in bad light as reasons behind his decision to reorganize the task force by first, changing the institution's name from Task Force to Compliance and Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Transport, and replacing its members with people who were properly screened and confirmed by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and the DSS.
Furthermore, when quizzed on the plans of the ministry in augmenting participation of tricycle operators in civic responsibilities, Esin revealed the ministry's interest in developing a comprehensive database of the tricycle operators, to enhance easy contact and mobilization as the major reason behind the offer of free stickers.
He also emphasised his determination to ensure that all lingering internal issues within various unions in the transport sector are amicably resolved.
No comments: