From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN have endorsed the Awka South local government area Chairman, Hon Chinedu Okafor for the second term bid and equally donated two million naira as support for acquiring ticket.
The TOAN Chairman, Hon Prince Collins Ozojiofor disclosed this on Saturday, Jan 30th during the Association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Awka South local government area.
In his address, TOAN Chairman, Hon Prince Ozoejiofor said the gathering was not only to discuss pertinent issues at the Annual General Meeting which concerns the welfare of members and challenges with enforcement agencies but equally endorse the Awka South Local Government Area Chairman, Hon Mayor Chinedu Okafor second term in office.
“We the keke riders having seen the numerous support from mayor decided to contribute money, and we raised two million naira for him to get the ticket to continue his goodwill and developmental projects in Awka . He has not been taxing Tricycle riders, he also have been attending to our needs and support and do we will appreciate him in return”.
Speaking further on the endorsement, Hon Prince Collins Ozojiofor, maintained that the tempo at which he is assisting the tricycle owners, ensuring that feeder roads are fixed and our members to ply and maintain the cordial relationship is topnotch. He has been given us that cooperation, and that is why we find it worthy to endorse him “, he said.
Prince Ozojiofor, however, advised keke riders operating in the capital city, and environs to always remain law abiding citizens, pay their taxes to government, obey traffic rules and shun cultism.
In his response, the Mayor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Paul Ifemeh, stated that the leadership of the council area under his watch have prioritized the welfare of keke operators in the area.
“The Local Government Area, has no plans whatsoever to collect any revenue from them like other Local Government Areas in the state that collect one revenue or the other from the keke riders”, he confirmed.
“This is the first ever support endorsement since Chinedu Okafor second bid commenced, and we are grateful for this as well as ask almighty God to replenish their pockets in million folds. Frankly spelling, i am overwhelmed. we have not seen this before, though we witnessed this during Mr. Governor’s campaign, and I don’t really know that such kind gestures will reach us. Kek riders, they really tried”.
The deputy mayor, however, assured that he will continue to assist the association in the possible way necessary.
Also speaking, Public relation officer TOAN, Mr Okwuchukwu Okoli, while expressing happiness for the endorsement, described it as a way forward. “We are happy that today we endorsed the Awka South Mayor for his assistance, and that is the reason we are endorsement him”.
He, however, urged the mayor to continue profiling tricycle riders as this has helped identify bad eggs among them as well as reduce criminality in the state.
Confirming the endorsement of the Mayor, the Chairman in charge of Regina caeli unit/express, Nze Onuorah Ezeani, Comrade Emeka Nwankwo of Nibo unit, and their counterpart at Mbaukwu, Mr. Nwafor Chukwudi, maintained that the Mayor, and his Deputy, Sir Ifemeh, deserved to be elected for the second tenure to enable them consolidate on the good works the have started in the council area, hence, their collective support for their second term bid.
The meeting was graced by the secretary of the Council Area, Hon.peter Uyanwa, among other top management officials of the local government.
Meanwhile some of members, Mr. John Nwaeze, Noko Victor, and David Awo urged the association to tackle the issues of multiple taxation in Nibo/Mbaukwu/Umuawulu axis.
