Enugu Keke Operators Express Worry Over Police Extortion, Multiple Taxation

By Ignatius Okpara, Enugu – Operators of commercial Tricycle, popularly referred to as (KEKE NAPEP), in Enugu state, have expressed worry over the alarming rate of extortion of its members by the police and unidentified persons hiding under government apron.

Newly inaugurated leadership of the operators under the umbrella of Association of Tricycle Riders of Nigeria, Enugu State Branch, raised the alarm at the weekend in Enugu.

The union also expressed concern over multiple taxation by the state government, appealing Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to call those responsible to order.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration of the caretaker committee of the association held at Okpara Square Enugu , Chairman of the committee, comrade Ikah Benjamin Ejiofor, assured members of the union that he would work hard to address the issues soon.

To ensure that they function as an organised Association, Mr. Amalaso Jiagbogu and Ugwuoke Mathias emerged treasurer and provost of the caretaker committee which was inaugurated by a representative of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Ben Alukwu

Chairman of the caretaker committee had urged members of the public not to see tricycle operators as lowest people in the society, saying that their services to the public are very vital.

Comrade Ejiofor pointed out that since inception, the union had witnessed a lot of challenges occasioned by bad leadership and inordinate ambition by those who thought that leading the union was their birthright.

He therefore, appealed to the state governor to lift ban on registration of more tricycles, stressing that it was pertinent to inform him that only 2,500 tricycles were dully registered and gazetted by the ministry of transport.

The chairman, advised its members, to be of good behaviour and obey traffic laws while discharging their duties, saying by so doing,” we assure you of government protection”.

He assured members of the union that he would work hard to stop extortion of money from members by unidentified individuals or groups.