RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Tipper drivers, bus drivers, tricycle operators popularly known as Keke drivers and others in the Anambra state transport sector have all outlined reasons they rejected Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and candidates of other political parties in the November 8th governorship election.
The transporters who took cognizance of the roads, bus terminals and other infrastructures put in place by the present administration for ease of transport business in the state, maintained that the incumbent governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has absolutely no rival and no competitor because they have all accepted him and endorsed his second term aspiration while rejecting other candidates on the condition that they have nothing different to offer.
President of the Anambra State Tipper Drivers Association Prince Nze Augustine Akaigwe told this journalist that tipper drivers are comfortable with Governor Soludo because of the massive transformations he has brought to the state.
Akaigwe noted that all the drivers in Anambra state have endorsed Soludo for a second term in office because since he constructed new roads across the state, tippers no longer have accidents and seldom go to mechanic workshops for repairs.
He said that the membership strength of tipper drivers were over ten thousand and they all have their voters' cards, adding that it is Governor Soludo that they would cast their votes for and no other persons.
Comrade Elvis Oliver Okolie who also spoke to this journalist said Soludo is the only candidate that they know contesting in the November 8th governorship election and they have no other options than to support him completely.
He said Soludo didn't give them money to support him but one thing they noticed when he came on board was the reduction in everyday and every week visits to mechanic workshops because the governor came and fixed the roads.
Comrade Okolie also disclosed that another problematic issue was hospital bills. According to him, Governor Soludo introduced the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme thereby subsidizing healthcare services such that the poorest of the people could afford quality and comprehensive healthcare.
He also acknowledged that Governor Soludo made antenatal and child delivery free of charge in all government hospitals and equally empowered Anambra youths with economic skills in the One Youth Two Skills empowerment initiative, adding that the governor's anti-touting agency has also helped to rescue Keke drivers from the bondage and captivity of touts and their bosses.
Meanwhile the State Marshal General of the Anambra State Solution Marshals Barr. Titus Nnabuike Akpudo, said the governor's good deeds can not be overemphasized and truth remained that transporters in the state have adopted Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo as their sole and consensus candidate for the November 8th governorship election.
Akpudo emphasized that transporters have resolved to vote Soludo overwhelmingly because his administration has rekindled their hopes through the massive road network across the entire state.
Comrade Osita Obi, an influential activist and social crusader noted that transporters have toured Soludo's projects across the state and reached a consensus that he deserves a second chance in office to further enthrone more democracy dividends for the people.
Obi emphasized that transporters in Anambra state recalled how his government chased touts away because they couldn't operate freely without the menace of touts but his administration put an end to touting in the state.
He also revealed that before the advent of the Soludo administration, 70% of tax collected went to private pockets but with the current digitization of the process, every tax collected now go into government purse.
He said that the drivers have their voters' cards and they will vote him and ensure that he is returned come November 8th this year.
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