Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka
Despite contributing significantly to Nigeria’s commerce and economic activities, drivers across the country remain neglected, poorly catered for and routinely subjected to multiple extortion on the nation’s roads, the Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria (DWCN) has said.
The National President of the club, Comrade Monday Elimigbe, made the assertion on Thursday in Awka during the flag-off of the Anti-Corruption War Against Multiple Extortion and Other Road Crimes, describing Nigerian drivers as the backbone of the nation’s economy.
According to him, drivers account for more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s economic activities through the movement of people and goods, yet they have continued to suffer neglect.
“We work like giants but eat like ants,” Elimigbe lamented, regretting that successive governments had failed to prioritise drivers’ welfare or make adequate provisions for them in national budgets.
He also criticised the negative perception of drivers in society, saying they are often unfairly labelled as “vagabonds.”
He explained that the anti-extortion campaign was initiated by the Anambra State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria to tackle illegal road extortion and other crimes affecting motorists.
As part of measures to improve members’ welfare, Elimigbe unveiled a range of initiatives, including a digital payment platform, a drivers’ cooperative society, an insurance scheme and an interest-free loan programme for registered members through FCMB Bank.
He explained that members involved in road accidents would receive ₦500,000 under the insurance package, while families of deceased members would be entitled to ₦1 million in benefits.
The DWCN president also disclosed plans to establish a Joint Task Force involving security agencies to combat multiple extortion on roads across Anambra State, adding that the association was partnering with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to commence electronic registration and biometric data capture of drivers to enhance their safety and security.
Elimigbe commended the former Anambra State Commissioner for Transport for her commitment to reforms in the transport sector and pledged the association’s support to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Representatives of the Anambra State Police Command, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps called on drivers and other stakeholders to support efforts to eliminate extortion on the roads.
The security agencies described extortion as obtaining property or money through force, intimidation or abuse of office, noting that the Criminal Code prescribes a prison term of up to 14 years upon conviction.
They urged victims to promptly report incidents to the nearest security agency for investigation and prosecution.
Speaking through his representative, Chief Francis Okoye, the Traditional Ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, advised drivers to always ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and obey traffic regulations to reduce road accidents.
Earlier, the newly appointed Anambra State Coordinator of the Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria, Comrade Elvis Okolie, said he had spent over two decades in the transport sector and understood the daily challenges confronting drivers.
He, however, commended the cordial relationship between transport operators and the Anambra State Government and expressed optimism that the new initiatives would improve the welfare of drivers.
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