ENUGU: Coalition Demands Lift On Night Transportation’s Ban

By Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed

A not-for-profit organization, identified as the Coalition of Civil Society Workers and Human Rights Defenders (COCSWAHD), has tabled an appeal to the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to take away the ban on night transportation that cover tricycles and shuttle buses in the Enugu metropolis.

Recall our earlier report since April last year that the State Government of Enugu, put a ban on tricycle operators and commercial buses to restrain from operations between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the state capital.

When questioned, the government had cited the growing insurgency in the country for the order to ban tricycle operators, adding that it is for the good of all and sundry.

TrackNews learnt that this was made known while reviewing the ban after one year into its operation during briefing yesterday in the capital of the state, Enugu.

The coalition argued the limitation had caused some hardship to the residents of the Enugu metropolis, particularly those who have no personal vehicles.

Speaking with the Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Osmond Ugwu, he noted that the ban was an “abuse on fundamental human rights of people and unjustified hardship imposed on the poor that do not have vehicles as a result of the ban on movement of Keke and commercial vehicles from 9:00 p.m. in Enugu.

Ugwu called on Governor Ugwuanyi to work on the report of a representative of Civil Society in #ENDSARS-related judicial panel on police brutality and other related extra-judicial killings, making public, report of the administrative panel on #ENDSARS as well as full enforcement of the recommendation of National Economic Council as regards to EndSARS protests and mitigation of police brutality in the country.

Meanwhile, the group advised the state government to expedite action in the payment of seized salaries, allowances and benefits of 14 former legislators of Enugu State that were unjustly seized by former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani during his tenure.

Speaking about the legislators, Ugwu said: “Most of them need serious medical attention but cannot afford the same because what they worked for is being withheld because of their patriotism.

Part of the appealing statements reads: “We call on our governor to look into the plight of these men and give them their entitlements”