Tricycle operators in Enugu State, under the auspices of Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union, yesterday unanimously adopted Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as their gubernatorial candidate for the 2019 governorship election in the state.
The jubilant tricycle operators, who came out in their numbers, made the declaration during an interactive meeting with the governor, held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, stating that they “are fully committed to your second term in office” for his good works in the state and commitment to their welfare.
The transporters added that Gov. Ugwuanyi has shown them love and tremendous support through various interventions that have helped to ameliorate their sufferings, such as the reduction of “the price of local government tolls from N100.00 to N50.00”.
Presenting his address, the State Chairman of the Association, Comrade Benjamin Ejiofor Ikah described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “an epitome of freedom” and thanked God for using him to impact positively on the lives of the lowly in the society.
The state chairman prayed God to grant the governor “the wisdom of Solomon to continue with the good works he has started in making Enugu State better for the citizenry”, pledging that when the processes for the election commences, the union will mobilize and join the campaign train of the governor to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi who described the interactive meeting as a “strategic partnership”, appreciated the tricycle operators for their goodwill, solidarity, prayers and support to his administration.
The governor noted that the meeting offered him another opportunity to thank God and commend the transporters for their cooperation and the vital roles they played towards the peaceful and crime-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
He informed the transporters of his administration’s plan to initiate an empowerment scheme for them, similar to the one for traders in the state, to assist and make their lives more meaningful.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who approved the request made by the union for the introduction of Riders Permit as obtainable in some states, to save them from further “harassment” in the hands of security agents, also urged those who have not obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) to go and register with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be eligible to vote during the general elections.
