‘We Will Not Be Driven Out’ – Enugu Commercial Drivers Vow to Resist Governor Mbah’s CNG Bus Plan
The drivers alleged that the governor has brought in a company, suspected to be one of his fronts, to procure CNG buses and ban tricycle and mini-bus operations in the state.
Commercial drivers in Enugu State, comprising tricycle operators and mini-bus drivers, are facing significant hardships due to Governor Peter Mbah’s policies.
Despite already enduring high taxes and what they described as exploitation through the Ministry of Transportation, the drivers are now concerned that the governor’s plan to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses will drive them out of business.
The drivers alleged that the governor has brought in a company, suspected to be one of his fronts, to procure CNG buses and ban tricycle and mini-bus operations in the state.
This company has allegedly been paid N1.8billion to start plying all routes in the state, the drivers alluded, but insisting that they’re not opposed to the introduction of CNG buses, but they want to be allowed to coexist and compete with the new buses.
The drivers lamented that taxes on commercial transporters have been increased five times in the last 20 months, from N350 to N1000 per day.
There’s no justification for the high taxes. They also accused the government of using various means to extort drivers, including charging park and pay fees, collecting money for emblems, and imposing fines for not paying taxes before 12 noon daily.
According to a cross-section of the drivers who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, they paid N10,000 for emblem, N10,000 for biometric registration which under the administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, they equally paid for the same biometric registration. They also collect N1000 for Ministry of Transport (MOT) number.
“This is independent of e-ticket that the government has increased to N1000 from N350 last year. In January it was N450 but as we speak they have increased it to N1000 with N200 for stopping at bus stops,” one of the drivers narrated.
One driver, Michael Chieze, noted that there are approximately 30,000 tricycles and 30,000 mini-buses in Enugu, with each driver supporting multiple family members. He estimated that the governor’s plan could render over 200,000 people poor.
“We are not against bringing in CNG buses, but let the governor allow other private commercial transporters to coexist,” said Michael Chieze, a commercial driver. “Let there be competition, and it will be good for the masses of the state. The pricing will be competitive.”
The drivers alleged that the governor has brought in a company, suspected to be one of his fronts, to procure CNG buses and ban tricycle and mini-bus operations in the state. This company has allegedly been paid N1.8billion to start plying all routes in the state.
“We have been paying all these taxes to support the government, but we cannot take the plan to drive us out of our businesses,” said Chimezie Kingsley, another driver. “The primary aim and existence of government is welfare and security of the people. I know that 2027 is approaching, and all the people who invested in the 2023 and who will invest in 2027 are in a hurry to make money from the people, but they should allow us to stay.”
“Keke in Enugu is almost 30,000; minibuses are also about 30,000,” Chieze noted. “If you said you brought world bank and buy your own vehicle and you want to close private transporters. Keke is sold over N3m now, minibus is about N6M. Some are riding them on hire purchase, and you want to send them packing.”
The drivers estimated that the governor’s plan could render over 200,000 people poor, including drivers, their dependents, and those who sell items and food in the parks.
“We have people who are selling items and foods in the parks,” Kingsley said. “If you said you want to redesign Enugu, does it mean everyone should go and die? We were told that when our union leadership opposed his arbitrary increase in taxes on drivers, he accused them of not paying taxes and he will initiate charges against them.”
The drivers accused transport unions in Enugu State of compromising with the government, allowing the exploitation and high taxes to continue.
“Because our leaders did nothing, the government jumped from that N450 to N800 as daily tax pay a driver,” Chieze said. “When it got to N800, we continued to pay, having looked to our leaders, but saw they’re not doing anything. When our leaders didn’t do anything they add N200 park and pay – charge for stopping at the bus stop, bringing the daily tax to N1,000.”
The drivers are calling on the government to allow them to continue operating and to provide alternative employment opportunities if they are to be phased out. They also want the government to evaluate the impact of its policies on the general masses of Enugu.
“Even in those terminals he is building, local transport operators are not even accommodated,” Nwakpa Celestine, another driver, said. “Sources said they are not factored in the construction. We are not against bringing their own buses, but allow the regular vehicles to also ply. Keep your vehicle and allow private owners to ply; let there be competition.”
The drivers also expressed concerns about the practicality of the card payment system proposed for the new buses.
“How can you tell a woman in Akegbe Ugwu or Oji-River or Ezeagu, that if she wants to come to Enugu or any other place, if she didn’t bring a card, she wouldn’t enter a vehicle?” Nwakpa asked. “How is it going to work? Even in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with vast road networks properly paved, it hasn’t been implemented such policies there.”
Meanwhile efforts to speak with the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Obi Ozor were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls as at the time of filing this report.
Also a text message seeking his comment on the plight of Enugu drivers was not replied to as at the time of filing this report.
