Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Tricycle operators popularly known as Keke NAPEP in Anambra State have declared war against touts and fake revenue collectors in the state.
The operators said they are targeting over 800 individuals believed to be touts and fake revenue collectors for the month.
After its meeting in Awka on Sunday, the operators contended that despite the government fight against touting activities, they have continued in the rural communities.
Coordinator of Keke tricycle operators, Pastor Elvis Okolie, said they have set up a two-man task force per local government area in the state to report cases of touting and illegal revenue collection in their areas.
According to him, they made phone numbers available for members to call when they discover such illegal acts. He said they are working with the state government team in that regard.
The operators also appealed to the state governor, Professor Charles Soludo, to lift the six months ban on the union stating that they have set up local task force to work with the state government in fighting revenue thieves in the rural areas.
“We as a body wish to commend Governor Charles Soludo for reviewing the taxes being paid by our members and that shows that he has a listening ear. But we are not happy that despite the efforts of government to checkmate revenue thieves these touts have continued to operate underground in the rural areas ripping off our members ”
“We are targeting over 800 touts to be apprehended in one month and they would be handed over to the law enforcement agencies to face prosecution in line with the laws of the land”
“But we also appeal to the governor to lift the six months ban on our union as we are poised to work hand in gloves with government to fight those miscreants that have been giving us bad name and bad image,” he said.
