TOAN Urges Anambra Transport Ministry to Integrate Security Profiling Into Riders’ Permit Exercise

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Awka Zone, has appealed to the Anambra State Ministry of Transport to integrate security profiling into the ongoing Riders’ Permit Exercise in the state.

The Chairman/Coordinator of TOAN, Awka Zone, Prince Collins Ozojiofor, made the appeal in a statement, saying the integration of security profiling would enhance identification, verification and accountability within the transport sector.

Ozojiofor said every registered rider and driver should be properly profiled and issued a unique digital identification number to facilitate easy identification and verification by relevant authorities.

According to him, such a system would also help the government strengthen security, prevent unauthorised operations and maintain accurate and reliable records of transport operators across the state.

He, however, urged the Ministry of Transport to ensure that the security profiling exercise was affordable and economically friendly to riders and drivers, considering the prevailing economic difficulties in the country.

He said many transport operators depended on their businesses as their primary source of livelihood and should therefore not be subjected to additional financial burdens through the exercise.

Ozojiofor said combining the Riders’ Permit Exercise with security profiling would provide a more effective, secure, transparent and efficient framework for managing the transport sector.

He added that the welfare and economic interests of riders and drivers should be taken into consideration in the implementation of any new regulatory measure.

He appealed to the Commissioner for Transport to give the proposal favourable consideration, saying it would promote public safety, effective transportation management, improved security and accountability in the sector.