By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union (ATRTU) has lauded Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for lifting ban on tricycle operations to ease the untold hardship the ban inflicted on its teeming members in the state.

The State Chairman of ATRTU, Mr Benjamin Ikah, told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that since the lifting of the ban on March 1, members of the association have been full of thanks to Ugwuanyi.

The Governor lifted the ban after a meeting with leadership of tricycle, motorcycle and tipper truck unions within the state on March 1.

The ban, which was placed on Feb. 24, came into force due to insecurity issues allegedly involving members of the unions in the state.

According to Ikah, the union members were so happy that they have a listening Governor to have lifted the ban.

The chairman appreciated the Governor for always considering the down-trodden in the society and giving hope to thousands of families.

He said: “Ugwuanyi remains a man of peace. Someone that understands the heartbeat of his people and a friend to the down-trodden and someone that does all to protect their interest.

“The union is seriously indebted to the Governor who has continually shown that he is a friend and brother of tricycle operators in so many ways.”

The chairman assured the governor and the entire “good people of Enugu State” that the tricycle union would work with security agencies to improve security.

He noted that the union was already putting modalities in place to fish out bad elements that must have infiltrated its membership.

“We have given our words to His Excellency that we will leave no stone unturned in doing this as well as ensure close collaboration with security agencies,” he said.

Ikah hinted on the ongoing tricycle riders’ identification scheme in the state which is meant to give unique identity cards to riders, special numbers and unique/indelible paint mark on tricycles operated within the state.

He said that the union has gone far on the implementation of the compulsory riders identification scheme for all its members, including any other commercial tricycle operator in the state.

“We have stopped the use of tarpaulin sheets to cover tricycles in the state. Previously, when a tarpaulin sheet is used to cover a tricycle, the people along the road or onlookers might not know the type of persons or crime being committed inside the tricycle.

“We are also planning a compulsory workshop on safety, as well as security consciousness for all our members soon.

“We are also fashioning out other mechanisms, which, for security reasons, might not go to the press. So that we can assist the state by government and good people of Enugu State attain maximum security in the state,” he said.