Emma Elekwa
Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN has endorsed the Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, Chinedu Okafor for the second term in office.
The association also donated two million naira as support for obtaining ticket.
TOAN Chairman, Collins Ozojiofor disclosed this weekend during the Association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Awka South local government area.
He said they decided to endorse the chairman because he refused to tax his members and always attend to their needs.
He said, “This gathering is not only to discuss pertinent issues at the Annual General Meeting which concerns the welfare of members and challenges with enforcement agencies.
“It is equally to 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.
“We raised two million naira for him to get the ticket to continue his goodwill and developmental projects in Awka .
Rewarding assistance
“He has not been taxing Tricylce riders, he also has been attending to our needs and support and that’s why we will appreciate him in return.
“The tempo at which he is assisting us, ensuring that feeder roads are fixed and relating with our members is topnotch.
“He has been giving us that cooperation, and that is why we find it worthy to endorse him.”
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.
Responding, the LG chairman represented by his Deputy, Paul Ifemeh, stated that the leadership of the council area has 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.
“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 speaking, I’m overwhelmed. We have not seen this before, though we witnessed this during Mr. Governor’s campaign, and I didn’t really know such kind gestures will reach us. You people really tried”.
The deputy chair assured continued support to the association in the possible way necessary.
Also speaking, Public Relations Officer TOAN, Okwuchukwu Okoli expressed joy over the endorsement, describing it as a way forward.
“We are happy that today we endorsed the Awka South Mayor for his assistance.
“We urge him to continue profiling tricycle riders which has helped identify bad eggs among us and reduce criminality in the state,” he added.
