Alphonsus Nweze
Chief Arunsi Igbaniuka, has urged members of tricycle and motor bike operators in Anambra State to commence immediate payment of their four thousand naira (N4, 000.00) daily levy.
Chief Igbaniuka who was addressing Keke drivers and Okada riders in Onitsha when they came to find out the actual situation on the payment of levy and ban on unions, said any of them who is backing the current State Government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo should not hesitate to pay the levy.
He also reiterated the ban of any form of drivers’ union by the State Government following their protest in Awka, the State capital, where they disrupted economic and social activities some weeks ago.
Igbaniuka reminded them that those operating in eight Local Government Areas which are under curfew were expected to pay three thousand naira ( M3,000.00) per day but will join others to pay (4,000.00) a day immediately the curfew is lifted.
He expressed the need for them to support Soludo’s government with prompt payment of their levies, directing that by October 28, 2021, there should be evidence of payment by every Keke or Okada operator in the State.
This, he said, was to avoid clashing with the members of the enforcement agencies of the State. He warned that any of them who failed to comply and is caught would face the consequences.
“I like their coming today to get the correct information because most of them don’t listen to news or read newspapers. Now we have told them the correct situation, whoever falls into Government’s trap is on his own. Go to the pay points or banks convenient to you and pay. We will not protect those who refuse to pay,” Igbaniuka warned.
Igbaniuka recalled that at St. Lwanga Catholic Church, when Governor Soludo visited Okpoko on March 18, 2022, he made a promise not only to work with them but develop the sprawling suburb and other parts of the State, which he has started.
He therefore urged Keke and Okada operators to support the Governor by paying their levies promptly because he has good plan for the State.
“It is when we pay that we can tell him the roads are bad. We can’t complain when we are not part of the system,” he pointed.
Igbaniuka said it is also a duty to back the Governor in the area of security by reporting any suspected passenger to the nearest police or security operatives.
He directed them to also tell their colleagues what Government had directed them to do so that they can go about their duties unmolested by anybody
