“Angry Tricycle Riders Demand Action Over Corruption and Harassment in Enugu”
Tricycle riders in Enugu State took to the streets on Friday to protest what they described as daily extortion, harassment, and corruption allegedly perpetrated by the state chairman of the Amalgamated Tricycle Riders Union, Mr. Kingsley Edeh, and the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor.
The protesters accused the Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with the union chairman, of charging them N200 daily, in addition to the N550 levy set by the Enugu State government, bringing their total daily payment to N750. The protestors gathered around Edinburgh in the Enugu North Local Government Area, calling for immediate intervention by Governor Peter Mbah and the urgent prosecution of those involved.
Anike Calistus, one of the protesters, voiced frustration over the constant harassment and extortion by the Ministry of Transport’s task force, allegedly working in concert with the state union chairman. “They only care about their gain, not our welfare,” he lamented.
Another protester, who identified himself as Stanley, claimed that a separate group from the Ministry of Transport demanded N1000 from them, in addition to the N750 levies. There are also ongoing disputes over the clarification of the levies and the rules governing tricycle operations in the state.
The protesters have demanded the removal of both the union chairman and the commissioner of transport, accusing them of corruption. They also appealed to the Enugu State Government to ensure transparency and fairness in the collection of levies.
SaharaReporters learned that the Industrial Court had previously barred the Riders Transport Union from collecting dues in Enugu State, citing irregularities. As the protest continued, riders urged the state government to take immediate and concrete action to address the corruption and extortion they face daily.
At the time of filing the report, the state government had not responded to the allegations raised by the protesters.
