Governor Udom Emmanuel has reiterated his administration’s commitment to put in place adequate incentive to boost the transport sector of the economy and enhance their daily operations.
The State Governor stated this while addressing members of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) and Keke Owners and Riders Association (KORA), who were on a solidarity visit at Government House, Uyo.
Governor Emmanuel said that the transport sector is dominated by men of proven integrity and commended the Associations for their decision to rid Associations of criminal elements who infiltrated to wreak havoc on unsuspecting members of the public in the guise of carrying out transportation business in the state, affirming that the sector comprises highly focused and result oriented group of people.
“I thank you for the formidable organization which you have put in place to reduce criminality in the state. Today men of proven integrity dominate the transport sector because all the complaints we used to receive are not forthcoming. That is why we are poised to support the sector,” the Governor stated.
Recalling the role of the transport Associations in his emergence as governor, Mr. Emmanuel stated that he would reciprocate the gesture with good incentives that would facilitate their smooth operations and used the occasion to appreciate the union for the support given to the administration.
According to him, “When I asked your Commissioner of the incentives we should offer the Association and he suggested we should abolish weekend taxes, I quickly obliged him. Today, you have been exempted from buying tickets on weekends and public holidays. There’s something bigger in the offing and will be disclosed to you when I come to your office.”
The Governor, who maintained that his administration operates on the principle of fairness, transparency and equity, promised to come up with programmes that, would better the lot of every citizen in the state.
He thanked the leaders and members of the Associations for the show of solidarity and pledged to adhere to their persuasion to continue in office for a second term.
“It was a moment like this that spurred me into this office. Today you’ve come again to say whether i like it or not, I must go for a second term. The voice of man is the voice of God. Silver or gold have I not but I promise you that under this government, there’ll be prosperity, under this government you will graduate from Keke owners to car owners. I appreciate your efforts for not indulging in self pity. You believe in yourselves and have taken steps to rise to greatness as entrenched in our Dakkada philosophy. All of you will become greater men and women,” he assured.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport and Petroleum Resources Mr. Orman Esin, said that the rally was staged in appreciation of the recent incentive of free tickets on public holidays and weekends as well as introduction of insurance scheme for transport operators in the state.
He pointed out that he has put in place monitoring and compliance mechanism comprising members who have been trained and screened by security operative to render services without resorting to force and embarrassment as previously experienced in the state.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairman Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) Mr. Effiong Effiong and President Keke Owners And Riders Association (KORA) Mr. Jeremiah Jackson, acknowledged the strides witnessed in the state courtesy of Governor Udom Emmanuel – led administration and assured the Governor of their support urging him to continue in office for a second tenure.
At the rally which was spiced with songs and dances, transport operators, clad in uniforms, carried placards with various inscriptions commending the Governor on the legacies of his administration.