Mr. Michael Okhuarobo, Edo state chairman of TOAN asserted in a statement at the weekend that in the light of the coming general elections in Nigeria in 2019, and to shore up the revenue base of Edo state, it would be important to use data and technology to gain an insight into the role of tricycles as drivers of the Edo economy.
“What the Cross Rivers state government has done is use modern methods of governance to nip the incidence of crime and thereby has recognized the influence of tricycles owners in governance.
“We therefore use this opportunity to call on the Edo state government to replicate this same system to introduce a sense of order into our sector of the transportation enterprise.”
He noted that before other state governments became involved in the Open governance, Edo had already demonstrated its willingness to be people-friendly by publishing its activities in its website and made public its procurement processes.
The Tricycle owners association of Nigeria is an umbrella body under the Trade Union Congress, TUC, and represents the interests of its members with branches in every state in Nigeria. Its members are spread right through the nooks and crannies of the Benin metropolis and in all local government areas.
“As a law-abiding organisation in Nigeria, TOAN seeks to work with the Edo state government to boost its revenue drive, and to partner with relevant authorities to fight crime and contribute to the uplift of the Edo economy.
“Recall that during the last fuel crisis, our association was not involved in any arbitrary increase in transport fare because we put the living conditions of Edolites first. So, if the Edo state government introduces a system of giving codes to our members, crime rate would reduce. It would also assist us with participation with the coming elections in Nigeria,” Mr Okhuarobo added.
