Commercial bus drivers under the umbrella of Urban Drivers Welfare Association, Anambra state branch, have commended Governor Willie Obiano for his pragmatic approach to issues of governance, his uncompromising commitment to duty and remarkable giant strides across the three Senatorial districts in the state.
Speaking on behalf of his members, at a driving seminar, organised by the Anambra Traffic Management Agency ATMA, with the Theme; “Drive Right And Save Time’ to educate drivers on mutual understand with traffic officers in the state, on Monday in Awka, the state chairman of the association, Hon. Uchenna Okafor said the governor needed commendation for his enviable leadership qualities and unshakable commitment to the security and welfare of the citizenry.
Hon. Okafor remarked that it was in recognition of his value-driven leadership and development-oriented administration that various organizations of repute have given him various categories of awards to spur him to do more in his efforts of piloting the affairs of the State.
He highlighted some achievements of the governor that accorded him these honours to include his Joint Security Blue Print which has sent criminals packing from the state, freed the citizenry from the grips of hoodlums, instilled peace and discipline amongst the various communities in the state and created free and conducive environment for businesses to thrive; his five Developmental Pillars – Agriculture, Youth Empowerment, Workers welfare, Commerce and Trade, and Oil and Gas which have revitalized all sectors of the economy, enhanced the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and positively turned around the economic fortunes of the state citizenry.
He also recalled the governor’s employment generation programmes which have established skill acquisition centres in almost all the 21 LGAs of the state and his wife’s pet project, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), which in addition to boosting these skill training centres, empowers the beneficiaries with assorted tools of trade, equipment such as graders, sewing machines, rice milling machines and cassava grading machines, as well as motorcycles and tricycles to make this set of persons self-reliant, among others.
ALSO READ: Coalition gives Buhari 14 days ultimatum to release Sowore, others
While congratulating the Managing Director of ATMA, Mr Patrick Chiezugo Obiefuna, on his new appointment, urged the Anambra Transport Management Agency and other relevant authorities in the state to discharge their duties with fairness.
He also called on his members, both conductors and drivers alike to obey traffic rules and regulations to ensure the free flow of traffic.
He pledged the determination of his union to cooperate with the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Vehicle Inspection Officers,
He described transport industry as vital to the socio-economic development of any nation, stressing that in addition to the movement of goods and services, the industry boosts employment opportunities, enhances the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and stimulates the economy.
Declaring the one-day seminar open, governor Willie Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Christian Madubuko, called on all agencies involved in traffic control to help the state government ensure the free flow of traffic in the state.
He cautioned traffic officers against collecting bribes and compromising their responsibilities.
In his address, the Managing Director of ATMA, Mr Obiefuna, said the state has witnessed series of road traffic crashes recently which were mostly caused by tanker drivers and some reckless commercial drivers, which he said gave birth to the correctional seminar.
and then