Sit-at-home order: Transporters in Abia beg for palliatives


By Leonard Okachie/News Agency of Nigeria

Transporters in Abia have appealed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to give them palliatives to cushion the effects of the weekly sit-at-home order.

The transporters who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent in Umuahia, the state capital, on Monday, said the development was making things difficult for them.

They expressed worry that the weekly exercise has crippled the socio-economic activities in the region, known for commerce and trade.

Mr. Henry Okezie, Chairman, Abia State Drivers’ Welfare Union, said the exercise had dealt a deadly blow on the transport sector.

He said, “This frequent sit-at-home is really affecting us because we can’t operate if we don’t see passengers.
“Most of our members have their vehicles on hire purchase; which means that we must work every day to meet the target.

“We are appealing to the enforcers of this exercise to give us some palliatives in order to cushion the effect.

“We have over 200 members at this Isigate Park in Umuahia whose buses are operating on Umuahia-Ikwuano and Umuahia-Ubakala routes.

“Each of us makes a minimum of N10,000 daily. So any day we don’t work we lose over N2 million on average.

Okezie said they would continue to comply in fear with the directive because “some of our vehicles got damaged while some passengers were injured the other time we flouted it.”

Also, Mr. Kingsley Chijindu, a driver on the Umuahia-Aba route said that the passengers were still very much afraid to come out, in spite of the suspension of the Monday exercise.


“Passengers are scarce on Mondays because they are afraid of being attacked on the road.

“The sit-at-home is even worse in Aba than Umuahia. So I have decided to take Monday as my day of rest till further notice.

“We really need help either from IPOB or the government, to cover up the monetary loss because we cannot continue like this,” he said.

On his part, Victor Rowland, a driver operating on the Umuahia-Ohafia route said he was okay with the weekly exercise saying it afforded him the opportunity to stay with his family.

“Initially, I was worried considering how much I was losing on a weekly basis. But I’m okay with it now because I now have time to be with my children,” he said.

Rowland, however, urged the enforcers to consider an alternative in order not to destroy the people they claim they are trying to protect.

They complained that the transport sector was the worst hit by the directive as their vehicles were usually attacked or vandalized, while passengers on the other hand, hardly come out of their homes for fear of attacks.

NAN reported that residents in the five states South-East have been groaning under the frequent order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The residents have continued to comply with the Monday weekly order in spite of its suspension by IPOB, who directed that it should be observed only on the days its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is to appear in court.

Kanu, who is in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), is being tried for treason and other charges.

PrinceOfLagos:
I think it's about time the Igbos soft pedal and give peace a chance

BosseJ:
They raised a fair point. Will ipob feed their families while they obey the sit-at-home? Some of these people depend on daily income for survival. Ipob should make provisions for palliatives to cushion the effects of the order.

Solsix:
Good morning South East, you were clapping for IPOB sense is coming gradually

Maxymilliano:
Lol ... Reality is gradually setting in

Solsix:
Good morning South East, you were clapping for IPOB sense is coming gradually

Inkling:

You can't be hitting a child and at the same time prevent the child from crying.



If not for lawlessness of Nigeria securities peaceful weekly protest ( like moving around with placard) would have been a better alternative. But we know it will end in shooting practice.

Mybrotheralso:

Even a kid knows this will happen

ThatFairGuy:
Afonjaaaaa. Sit at home order continues in Alaigbo

This is sacrifice each and everyone of us are ready and willingly to offer. You can kee yasef

ZZ22:
Yesterday I asked a keke rider as Nnamdi Kanu has appeared in court will sit at home be relaxed he gave a resounding NO and said if they are still holding Kanu who is fighting for him and his unborn descendants then who is he to go about his business while someone like Nnamdi is still unjustly held prison. He continued and said if Nnamdi have sworn not to betray us then why should we be the one to betray or show no concern to what he is passing through in prison(na this one made me realise they have made up their mind). An adult keke rider said this and what people don't know is that transport workers is the biggest determinant of this sit at home because once they are out of work nobody goes anywhere.

funkekemi:
you wish it's true but it's all false , we are solidly behind ipob and I am sympathetic to ipob and it's course