Soludo Orders Registration Of Anambra Wheelbarrow Pushers, Others

The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the registration of wheelbarrow pushers, tricycles operators, operators of shuttles, mini buses and allied vehicles in the state.

The move, it was gathered, was to streamline security and revenue collection in the state as well as ensure their contributions to the state’s internally generated revenue.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Mrs Louisa Ezeanya, indicated that the exercise will be done through biometric enrolment.

Ezeanya said the exercise will be carried out by the ministry in collaboration with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.

The statement partly read, “The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, is undertaking the Biometric enrolment/registration of all commercial vehicle operators – wheel barrows, tricycles, shuttle and mini buses, mini/semi-trucks, tippers, lorries and heavy duty trucks operating in the state.

“The exercise, which is in line with the directives of the governor, will last for four weeks from June 2, 2022. All commercial vehicle owners and drivers/riders are hereby directed to comply accordingly.”

Another statement by the ministry also announced the recertification/revalidation of private motor parks in the state.

It read, “In line with Mr Governor’s directives, the Ministry of Transport has commenced the recertification/revalidation of all private motor parks in the state at no cost. All owners of private motor parks in the state are to proceed to the Ministry of Transport, Block C, Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, with copies of the ministry‘s approval letter for their parks and e-receipts of payments of approved motor park fees from October 2021 to March 2022.

“Kindly note that the exercise will last till Tuesday, June 28, 2022, after which enforcements will follow. All private motor park owners in the state are strongly advised to note the above and comply accordingly to avoid sanctions.”

When contacted, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said the initiative was geared towards streamlining the state revenue collection as well as for security purposes.

He said, “Basically, the main reason is for security purposes. You know that the governor is committed to security in the state. Another reason is to streamline the state revenue collection. You will recall that the governor placed ban on illegal revenue collection and touting. With this registration, we will know all those on the road. Once you enrol, the government will have your complete data and give you a unique identification (sticker) which will also prevent you from being overtaxed or harassed.”