Enugu Govt Speaks On Purported Protest By Tipper Drivers

The Enugu State Government has called on the residents to disregard purported protest by a category of Tipper Drivers and Owners Association of Nigeria in the State over N1000-per-trip-of-sand levy.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, on Friday, said the government had verified and confirmed that the purported protest was cooked by unscrupulous elements, who are in the habit of tarnishing effort of government to make the state a preferred destination for investments.

The government, however, noted that the leadership of the Tipper Drivers and Owners Association of Nigeria was aware of the minor adjustment in the daily fees being paid by members and efforts of the current government to boost the revenue of the state.

Recall that Enugu Tippers Union had disowned the protest that took place yesterday at Nsukka over the state government’s increase of daily fees charged on each trip from N500 to N1000.

The Association through its leadership explained that there was no reason for any protest apart from the purpose of attempting to tarnish the image of the union.

It observed that despite the increment, Enugu still charges the lowest fee when compared to the neighbouring Ebonyi State that charges N8,000 and Anambra State, N3,500.

The group warns miscreants being used by opposition politicians to destabilise the peace, which Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has brought to bear.

It equally restates their resolve to align themselves to the policies of the Mbah led administration and its developmental trajectories.

Nsukka Local Government Council Chairman, Dr. Walter Ozioko, had while corroborating the Tippers Union, said that security information at his disposal showed that the protesters were impostors.

Dr. Ozioko also absolves Mbah’s Administration of any wrong doing, saying the increase was done by the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission in line with the present economic realities, and that even at that, Enugu still charges the lowest compared to other States.