Mini bus and tricycle operators in Akwa Ibom State have called on the state Governor, Pastor UMO ENO to intervene in the conflict between them and the ministry of transport, regarding the biometric capturing and re-registration of transporters.
The drivers under the aegis of Township Drivers Association (TDA) Akwa Ibom State said that they had already carried out the same process of capturing, having paid exorbitant fees to obtain the registration slip and fleet numbers, explained that the ministry asking them to do another capturing in this biting economic situation amounts to double jeopardy.
Speaking with Inspiration FM, the Public Relations Officer, (TDA), Comrade BASSEY UDOFIA, noted that as law abiding citizens of the state who do not want to take laws into their own hands, the association has approached the court on the matter and that the court has ordered both parties to maintain status quo.
He frowned at the non-compliance to the court order by agents of the ministry who continued harass, arrest, detain and impound vehicles as well as torture of drivers on the basis of biometric regime.
Comrade UDOFIA gave an assurance that members of the union, as law abiding citizens, will not resolved to self-help but allow the due process of the law take its course while urging the ministry and it’s agents to also obey the court order.
While calling on drivers to remain calm, comrade UDOFIA appealed to the Governor to declare a state of emergency in the transport sector.
Narrating their ordeals in the hands of ministry agents, some of the drivers lamented the harassment, torture and humiliation suffered in the hands of the ministry agents.
The drivers explained that the situation has made life unbearable to many members as the impounded vehicles are their only source of livelihood and sustenance of their families.
The Association noted that a letter of appeal has been sent to the Governor in respect to their predicament with the hope that the ministry would cease it’s incessant harassment and molestation of commercial drivers and release impounded vehicles to the affected drivers.
