…We are appreciating Soludo for being fair to all the Keke riders in Anambra State
Tricycle Operators Popular know as Keke riders have pledged their loyalty to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, government and also assured the governor of Anambra state Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo that they would vote for all candidates of APGA in the coming general election
The convener and coordinator of Anambra Keke Drivers’ Forum, Comrade Osita Obi, said Governor Soludo has really done enough to alleviate the sufferings of Keke drivers in the state.
Obi disclosed that before Soludo came on board, tricycle operators were suffering and dying in silence because past administrations unleashed touts, cultists and all manner of illegal revenue agents on Keke drivers and they paid through their nose before they could operate in the state.
He recalled that Keke drivers have embarked on several peaceful protests demanding the harmonisation of the multiple levies imposed on them by government recruited touts and agents but all their entreaties fell on deaf ears as collection of multiple levies continued unabated.
He however, stated that it was Governor Soludo who ameliorated the situation by ending all the atrocities and obnoxious practices in revenue collections; following the harmonisation of levies for Keke drivers where they now pay N10,000 cheerfully every month.
Obi said; “We appreciate the governor for being fair to all the Keke drivers in Anambra State by removing all the obnoxious levies imposed on Keke drivers by the agboros like end-of-the-year party levy, emblem and bucket, ATMC, registration and kicking agboros out of the way.
“Keke drivers are coming from Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Ihiala and other parts of the state and Anambra Keke Drivers Forum is mobilising them for the thank you rally on 16th February, 2023, at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
“Soludo has done so much for Keke drivers. Before he came in, Keke drivers were being charged all sorts of obnoxious levies. They make money but the money they make go to agboros. They paid ATMC N4,600 yearly, they paid bucket and emblem N6, 600, they paid for registration of Keke with N50,000 and it is very unfortunate that these money didn’t go to government instead it ended up in the hands of agboros and their sponsors.”
According to him, there was a time the leadership of tricycle operators in AnambraState employed agboros and thugs to intimidate them into obedience. He said Keke riders apart from the aforementioned levies, paid monthly dues, paid for ID cards which they renewed with N2,500 every year coupled with N100 daily collection for each trip.
Obi said, “Soludo has removed all these obnoxious levies. The only money Keke drivers pay now is N10,000 monthly. Soludo needs to be appreciated. We will mobilise support for him and all APGA candidates especially those vying for House of Assembly.”
