By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Protesting drivers of the Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS) have on the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to probe the company's account alleging that over N70 Billion revenue is missing from the coffers.

The drivers took to the road over the weekend up to the Govt House gate to protest the TRACAS management's failed promise of using part of the money they are generating to provide for the parks.

They cited that their motor parks are not being up graded, even as they alleged heavy and multiple taxation by the management

Speaking of the issue, the Vice President of High Way TRACAS Drivers operating outside Anambra State, Mr. Okwudiri Felix Okonkwo, alleged that they are generating revenue for government but they are being treated as slaves

He said that the protest is geared towards attracting Gov Soludo's attention to the ill treatment being meted on them by the management of TRACAS.

He said: "Every driver who ply Lagos and Abuja highways pay N15,000 per loading and we make over 10 trips to Lagos and Abuja every month.

"If you make five trips to and from a month, you are to pay N300,000 every month . We don’t know what the management want to stifle with multiple levies. We are doing the protest to get the attention of the governor to the bad treatment being mated to us by the TRACAS management despite our contribution to company.”

According to him, despite all the money they pay on every trip, the company does not have any park of its own throughout the federation.

He added: "The management of TRACAS ordered that we pay N45,000 to their private vehicles cars to monitor their activities.

“We accepted to have trackers in our vehicles but they must pay for the fixing and give us a written agreement that if any happens to motors they will pay, but refuse. At stage Chairman, Anambra State House committee on transport intervene and after three days, they asked for enforcement.

“They stop us on highway and collect N85,000 for the trackers and renewal permit and fine. We are crying to the governor to intervene and save from TRACAS intimation, harassment and extortion. We are in support of the governor but the management of TRACAS is sabotaging our efforts.”

On his part, the secretary to TRACAS Drivers, Benjamin stressed that the management is not treating them fairly as partner in the business.

While appealing to Soludo to come to their aid, he said: “The current management of TRACAS is doing well. In 2019 they forced us to pay N29,000 for speed limit til today they have not they want force us to pay N45000. We are not against the tracking devices but they must pay for them and signed agreement that anything that happen to vehicles in highway, they must take the responsibilities.”

Addressing the protesting drivers, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwudobelu, hailed the drivers for the peaceful conduct and promised to relay their complaint to the governor.

He gave assurance that within seven days, they would hear from the governor.

The SSG also promised to speak to the management of the company to step down enforcement pending the resolution of the crisis.

Update news