Anambra State residents have blamed the high cost of transportation which is unbearable, on the multiple levies being collected from commercial drivers by transport unions on behalf of the state government.
According to some of the residents, the state government and transport operators would benefit more if the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) is allowed to operate in the state. However, the state Chairman of the RTEAN, Kingsley Mmaduagwuna, revealed yesterday that the union was ready for the challenge.
In fact, Mmaduagwuna said that the union operates in the interest of the state government and the public.
His words: “The RTEAN is the economic promoter of any state and we have a network that is effective. We coordinate our activities. We have just one ticket and it covers you anywhere in the state throughout the day. We don’t just make money for government; we protect the operators from extortion. Drivers in Anambra are experiencing difficulties and they are waiting for us to come to their rescue.”
Furthermore, Mmaduagwuna voiced worry that some people profiting from the inadequacy of the park management system were suppressing the union despite having government approval to operate.
On his part, Christian Madubuko, the immediate past Commissioner for Transport in the state, Christian Madubuko, stated that the government still suffers huge leakages in revenue collection. This is given the fact that some henchmen are behind those denying the government of revenue.
The need to sanitize public transport management in the state was stressed by Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, a leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). According to a report from The Guardian, efforts to get a reaction from the Commissioner of Transport, Afam Mbanefo, were not successful.
The Guardian also learned that not less than 10 transport unions are selling tickets, but only a few are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
InlandTown! 2020
