Anambra Unites Commercial Drivers, Moves to End Factionalism, Illegal Levies

Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edwin Ibuzo Middle in a group picture with executives of Anambra State Drivers Welfare Association on Wednesday after inuaguration

The Anambra State Government has inaugurated a consolidated commercial bus drivers’ association, charging its leadership to prioritise unity, drivers’ welfare, discipline and accountability in the state’s transport sector.

Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edwin Ibuzo and Chairman of Anambra State Drivers Welfare Association, Mr. Moses Ohanebo

The association, inaugurated on Wednesday, at the Ministry of Transport, Awka, is headed by Mr. Moses Ohanebo and is expected to provide a coordinated platform for commercial bus drivers across the state.

List and names of executive members

Inaugurating the association, the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edwin Ibuzo, said the initiative was aimed at ending divisions, competing interests and leadership disputes that had made effective coordination of the commercial transport sector difficult.

Ibuzo charged the new leadership to build a stronger and more peaceful association, devoid of intimidation, self-aggrandisement and exploitation.

He said the new arrangement was designed to promote unity rather than division, service rather than exploitation, and organisation rather than disorder.

According to him, the peace and unity being established in the transport sector must be maintained by all stakeholders, stressing that nobody should betray the trust that had been built among the various interests in the sector.

“I will not betray anyone, but nobody can betray me,” the commissioner said.

Ibuzo said the new association would operate under the supervision of the Anambra State Ministry of Transport and serve as an effective channel of communication between the government and genuine commercial bus drivers across the state.

He urged the leadership to protect the welfare of members, support road safety initiatives, discourage touting and illegal levies, maintain discipline at motor parks and loading points, and cooperate with relevant government agencies.

The commissioner also directed the association to promote proper identification, registration, digitalisation, accountability and effective regulation in line with the state government’s policy direction for the transport sector.

He stressed that while genuine commercial drivers deserved an environment free from harassment, multiple taxation and unnecessary intimidation, operators must equally comply with the laws and regulations governing transportation in the state.

Addressing Ohanebo and the other officers inaugurated alongside him, Ibuzo urged them to lead with fairness, transparency and inclusiveness.

“You are not leaders of a faction; you are being entrusted with the responsibility of bringing commercial bus drivers together and ensuring that every legitimate driver has a sense of belonging,” he said.

The commissioner assured the association of the ministry’s cooperation, but warned that the leadership would also be held accountable for its performance.

He said its success would be measured by the level of unity among drivers, reduction in disputes and illegal activities, improved discipline in motor parks, better welfare for members and its contribution to the government’s vision of a modern and organised transport system.

He expressed optimism that the new arrangement would usher in greater unity, discipline, improved welfare and progress for commercial drivers and the wider transport sector in Anambra State.

Speaking on behalf of the Anambra State Drivers Welfare Association, Ohanebo commended the Commissioner for Transport for bringing the various factions in the sector under one umbrella.

According to him, God had used Ibuzo to unite the various interests in the transport sector as one family in the state, and he thanked the commissioner for initiating a process aimed at promoting progress and unity in the sector.

He also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for what he described as the “wonderful work” being done across the state, particularly in the area of road construction.

According to Ohanebo, the quality of roads being constructed by the Soludo administration had reduced the frequency with which commercial drivers visited mechanics for vehicle repairs.

Speaking to journalists after the inauguration on efforts to harmonise the various factions in the sector, Ohanebo said the process of uniting and harmonising the groups had already commenced.

He said the new leadership had begun engaging individuals and groups who had been aggrieved in the past, adding that the efforts were already yielding positive results.

“We have united them. We have already harmonised ourselves. Sometimes, when something happens, it teaches a lesson. What happened to us has taught us a lesson, and by God’s grace, it will not happen again.
“I am praying that God will give me the wisdom to pilot this association to greater heights in peace and unity. I am also praying that God will give me the strength to sustain Anambra State Drivers Welfare Association unity we are building now. It is my prayer that there will never be division again in the transport sector,” he said.

Ohanebo assured that his administration would carry everyone along, in line with the directive of the Commissioner for Transport.

“I am assuring you that there will be no factionalism in the Anambra State transport sector. We are one, united by a common goal,” he said.