By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chairman of Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union (ATRTU) Enugu State, Chief Benjamin Ikah, has lauded the members for their full compliance with federal and state government COVID-19 containment orders.

Ikah told newsmen in Enugu on Sunday that the union’s taskforce in the state had been up and doing to ensure near100 per cent compliance by all commercial tricycle operators with COVID-19 containment orders and measures.

He said that the measure adopted by the union’s taskforce had made it possible for the union to sustain its members’ compliance till date.

The union leader assured that the union would continue to protect the interest of its members and carry them along as the government gradually eases the COVID-19 pandemic containment orders.

His words: “Till today, the union and its members throughout the state had made it part of their lives to comply with the issues of wearing face masks.

“As members, who are operators, wear their face mask, they also ensure that they do not carry any passenger without a face mask or providing one for them and charging them extra for the face mask provided.

“Till today, we are carrying only two passengers at the back seat and we have fully and faithfully abided by this particular directive.

“Our taskforce had ensured that none of our members plied his tricycle close to the boundary areas or use their tricycles to convey anybody coming into the state against the stipulation of the state government’s order.”

Ikah said that he believed that it would not be long until the state government would extend the operating hours of its members beyond 7pm.

“I am assuring the government and good people of Enugu State that ATRTU, as a union, will not compromise on the health and safety of our people.

“The union will continue to support the tireless efforts of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in containing the spread of this deadly virus in the state,” he added.

News Express reports that the State Government had directed that commercial tricycle operators should carry only two passengers at a time and should not operate beyond the state’s land boundaries.

They were also directed to wear face masks and ensure their passengers wear face masks too; while operating from 6am to 7pm daily.

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