Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Thursday, banned cultism, and all the tricycle and shuttle bus unions in the state, describing them as lawbreakers.
Soludo, who slammed the ban in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu, also banned agberos (touts), insisting that loading and unloading of vehicles remain free in the State.
The governor, while also reducing the payment strategies for taxation of vehicles in the state, explained that the reason behind the ban of some unions were due to security reports that people masquerading as their leaders were lawbreakers.
According to the statement personally signed by the state government spokesman, There are conflicts arising from various persons and entities claiming to be the appropriate authority to unionize tricycle and shuttle bus operators or owners who have openly rejected these claims and insist that the unions are not working for them.
In the light of the above and in order to forestall breakdown of law and order, the State Government hereby suspends all tricycle and shuttle bus unions in the State with immediate effect for six months, pending further investigations and a possible harmonization of the unions which shall have a leadership known to, and recognized by, the State Government.
The statement also revealed that Government wishes to reiterate its ban on touts (agboro) and cult groups that are used to enforce illegal collection of tolls and taxes. Only government accredited agents are entitled to collect tolls.
Tricycle operators now have the option of paying N4,000 weekly or N15,000 monthly. However, tricycle operators in the 8 Local Government Areas that are affected by the curfew will pay N3000 weekly or N12,000 monthly. They will revert to the normal rates of N4,000 weekly or N15,000 monthly as soon as the curfew is lifted. Shuttle bus operators will pay N 5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly.
But because of the ASUU strike that resulted in the closure of universities, NANS shuttle bus will pay N2,500 weekly or N10,000 monthly. This group will also revert to the normal rates of N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly as soon as the strike is called off. Taxi will pay N4,375 weekly or N17,500 monthly. Township bus will pay N5, 000 weekly or N20,000 monthly. Mini truck and Pick up will pay N5,000 weekly or N20,000 monthly respectively. Intra-state will pay N6,250 weekly or N25,000 monthly,” he added.
