Keke Operators on Rampage in Onitsha as Movements are Grounded... Find Out Why

 

According to a report by The Sun, about 2,000 tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, yesterday protested in Onitsha, Anambra State over what they called multiple unauthorised levies collected by revenue agents.

 

The protest by tricycle operators under the aegis of KKAWAAWPU Amalgamated Tricycle Union and the Keke Riders Forum (KRF), grounded human and vehicular movements for hours in the commercial city. 

 

The protesters alleged that most of the levies were forced on them and in some cases they were beaten and robbed of their proceeds on daily basis.

 

The unions said the agents have been banned by Anambra State Government, but unknown to the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, some agents connive with members of Board of Trustees of KKWAAWPU and  are still collecting the levies, print some tickets strange to them and force them to pay for the tickets.

 

The protesters joined by  members of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM),  took their protest to the office of the leader of MASSOB/BIM for Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Mr. Arinze Igbani for assistance. 

 

Addressing  newsmen shortly after the protest, state chairman of KKAWAAWPU, Mr. Tony Ogalaonye and his KRF counterpart, Mr. Emeka Ohaekelem displayed the tickets they are currently paying for from Onitsha Owerri Road to Onitsha Main Market as, “Obosi Development Union ticket, Ogbaru Di Uso ticket, Unified Anambra State Local Government Daily Toll, Government of Anambra State with Chariot International daily toll, daily IGR Tricycle Keke ticket, Onitsha Ado N’Idu daily toll, Loading and Offloading Keke Tricycle ticket, ASWAMA Tricycle ticket, Oba Patriotic Union ticket, which range from N100 to N150 each,” among others.

 

They  appealed to Governor Obiano to investigate their claims and ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

 

The protesters appealed to the state government to ensure the harmonisation of the ticket tricycle operators pay to the government, to avoid multiple taxation.

 

They threatened to boycott voting during the Anambra governorship election in November if nothing is done. 

 

MASSOB-BIM Leader, Igbani, while addressing the protesting tricycle operators appealed to them to be peaceful, and promised that he will call all those being accused for a meeting to resolve the issue.