The Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Aba Zone, has rounded off the year on a high note with a colourful end-of-year Christmas get-together and reward ceremony, celebrating honesty, discipline and professionalism among tricycle operators in the Aba metropolis.
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The event, which brought together transport stakeholders, security agencies and government officials, was organised to recognise and reward Keke operators who demonstrated exceptional integrity by returning items forgotten by passengers in their tricycles, while also fostering unity among unit heads and members during the festive season.
Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Aba Zone Chairman of ASTOPU, Comrade Victor Azubuike, expressed deep appreciation for the sustained collaboration between the union and the Abia State Ministry of Transport under the leadership of Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, as well as the support from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr. Obioma Reuben Nwaogbe. He explained that the essence of the gathering was to appreciate honest Keke riders, encourage ethical conduct in the transport sector and provide a platform for collective celebration of Christmas.
Comrade Azubuike described the ceremony as a deliberate effort to promote hard work, honesty and trust, urging tricycle operators to continue upholding values that enhance the image of the union and the state. He disclosed that no fewer than 164 tricycle operators had returned forgotten items to the ASTOPU office for retrieval by their rightful owners, a development he attributed to improved orientation, discipline and synergy with security agencies in Aba.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, reaffirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to ensuring that ASTOPU remains well organised and professionally run. He assured members that the introduction of the electric buses under the state’s mass transit scheme would not displace tricycle operators but rather complement existing transport services.
Dr. Ukaegbu emphasised that under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, tricycle operators would continue to thrive, considering their contributions to revenue generation and urban mobility. He commended Aba tricycle operators for their support for the state government and advised them to prioritise their safety, shun alcohol while working and operate within stipulated speed limits. He also pledged continued protection and engagement by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Office of the SSA on Transportation, while urging the ASTOPU leadership to sustain its visionary and people-centred approach.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr. Obioma Reuben Nwaogbe, noted that tricycle operators in Abia State had exceeded expectations in their cooperation with the present administration, especially in revenue compliance and orderliness. He stated that the union’s performance had positioned it to benefit more from government interventions beyond infrastructure, commending ASTOPU for its internal organisation and progressive leadership.
Drawing from a personal experience, Dr. Nwaogbe recounted how he once forgot his luggage in another state and struggled to recover it, adding that if such an incident occurred in Abia, one could simply walk into the ASTOPU office with confidence of retrieval. He described the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union as one of the most organised in the country.
Stakeholders at the event also cautioned motorists and operators against reckless driving during the festive season, advising them not to rush or overload vehicles and to avoid driving beyond safe speed limits, noting that the season would soon pass but lives must be preserved.
The Chief Executive Officer of Abia SME Microfinance Bank, Mazi Chimeremeze Okeigbo, commended Aba tricycle operators for their cooperation with relevant stakeholders in ensuring a smooth transport system. He observed that under Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration, tricycle operators had been reoriented and better organised to serve the public, contrary to negative stereotypes previously associated with the sector.
Mazi Okeigbo encouraged tricycle operators who were yet to be enumerated to do so, highlighting the security and economic benefits of the policy. He noted that enumeration had helped in the recovery of stolen tricycles and improved overall safety within the state.
Also speaking, the Aba Coordinator of the Abia State Harmonised Taskforce (ASHTF), Chief Uche Nwogu, represented by Prince Emma Ahumibe, alongside the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Abia State Council, Comrade Chukwuma Azodo a.k.a. China, applauded the improved road infrastructure in Aba, noting that drivers were enjoying smoother and safer roads across the city.
Comrade Azodo remarked that the era when transport union leadership was associated with thuggery was over, urging ASTOPU members to remain good ambassadors of the union and Abia State. He praised the union leadership for providing sound orientation that had positively reflected in members’ conduct, particularly in the return of forgotten items.
In their goodwill messages, the Area Commander of the Aba Divisional Police, ACP Ajayi Kayode, represented by CSP Emmanuel Ukanwoke, and the Federal Road Safety Corps Commander, Aba Unit, U.O. Uduma, commended ASTOPU for its cooperation with security agencies in promoting road safety. They pledged continued collaboration to safeguard road users, noting a significant reduction in road crashes within Aba.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of awards to distinguished stakeholders, among them the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr. Obioma Reuben Nwaogbe; the CEO of Abia SME Microfinance Bank, Mazi Chimeremeze Okeigbo; the Abia State Harmonised Taskforce, Aba Area Coordinator, Chief Uche Nwogu; and the Nigerian Police, Aba Area Commander, ACP Kayode Ajayi.
The event also featured the distribution of rice palliatives to the 164 tricycle operators who returned items forgotten by passengers. Some of the beneficiaries, including Mr. Ife Donatus, Mr. Mark Onyekachi and Mr. Cyprian Ughasoro, expressed gratitude to the ASTOPU leadership for recognising their honesty and pledged continued loyalty to the union and support for the Abia State Government.
The celebration underscored ASTOPU’s resolve to promote integrity, safety and professionalism in the transport sector while strengthening collaboration with government and security agencies for a better Abia.
