Anambra Activist, Osita Obi, Makes Case for Drivers’ Union, Says It Will Boost Security, Revenue

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Anambra-based activist and Convener of the Anambra Bus Drivers Forum (ABDF), Comrade Osita Obi, has urged the Anambra State Government to facilitate the emergence of a democratically elected drivers’ union, arguing that a properly structured body would enhance security, improve internally generated revenue and strengthen discipline within the transport sector.

Obi made the call on Tuesday during a meeting between leaders of the Anambra Bus Drivers Forum and the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Edward Ibuzor, at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.

According to him, allowing genuine drivers and vehicle owners to organize and elect their leaders would create a more accountable transport system while providing government with a reliable platform for engaging operators across the state.

He said drivers, because of their daily interaction with commuters, occupy a strategic position in intelligence gathering and could become effective partners in the state’s security architecture.

“If elections are conducted, more drivers will be encouraged to register and join the tax net, thereby increasing internally generated revenue. Drivers can also play a significant role in security monitoring because they interact daily with different categories of passengers. That is why we are partnering with security agencies and encouraging drivers to report suspicious activities under the ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative,” Obi said.

He added that a recognized union would help enforce discipline among drivers and reduce conflicts involving transport operators and traffic enforcement officials.

According to him, government would also benefit from having an identifiable leadership structure through which information, policies and directives could easily be communicated to transport operators.

Obi maintained that leadership of drivers’ unions should be reserved for practising drivers and vehicle owners rather than professional unionists who have no direct involvement in the transport business.

“We are seeking government approval for drivers to unionize for their welfare, security and the overall economic development of the state. Those who should be allowed to unionize are the actual drivers and vehicle owners, not individuals who are not involved in the profession,” he said.

The activist further lamented what he described as the absence of a functional welfare system for drivers, noting that funds collected in the name of welfare of drivers often fail to benefit transport operators during emergencies.

Earlier, while presenting members of the forum to the commissioner, Obi described them as the real operators in the transport sector who contribute directly to the state’s economy through transportation services.

Also speaking, the President-General of Owners and Drivers in Anambra State, Mr Chinedu Moulokwu ( Maintain Obosi), appealed to the government to ensure that only practising drivers emerge as leaders of transport unions.

He said transport operators were interested in a transparent process that would enable genuine stakeholders to organize themselves and address challenges facing the sector.

Responding, the Commissioner for Transport acknowledged that different groups had approached his office claiming to represent drivers in the state, but stressed that the welfare of transport operators remained government’s priority.

Ibuzor assured the delegation that the state government would not support any arrangement that allowed persons who were not drivers to dominate the affairs of drivers’ unions.

“Drivers face numerous challenges, including accidents and other occupational risks, and in many cases their families are left without support. We cannot allow individuals who merely claim to represent welfare interests to take over the union,” Ibuzor said.

The commissioner disclosed that further consultations would be held to fine-tune modalities for a workable welfare framework before any proposal is presented to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

He also pledged to protect the interests of genuine drivers and ensure that any eventual arrangement reflects their welfare needs.

Other stakeholders at the meeting, including former President-General of Drivers in Anambra State and leader of interstate drivers, Mr Obinna Anisiobi, argued that drivers should be allowed to elect leaders of their choice and participate directly in the management of their unions.

They maintained that a properly organized union would not only improve welfare for members but also support government efforts in revenue collection, public enlightenment and promotion of Anambra as a safe destination for business and investment.