Anambra Colour: Shuttle bus drivers hail Soludo for ordering ARTMA to halt arrest

 

AWKA, Anambra- Shuttle bus drivers in Anambra State have commended the state government for ordering the State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) and other agencies to stop arresting them for not painting their buses in the Anambra colours of yellow and black.

Some drivers, who spoke to journalists at the Dr. Ekwueme Square after a peaceful protest to the state Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, described Governor Charles Soludo as a listening governor.

The Commissioner had earlier ordered ARTMA and other agencies to stop arresting and detaining drivers who had not painted their buses in the state colours.

Mr. Chibuzor Idika, one of the drivers, expressed appreciation for the governor’s decision, stating that the drivers are grateful for his listening ear.

“I want to say kudos to the government for listening to the shuttle drivers. This shows that the government is on our side. We will support the government 100 percent,” he said.

According to Idika, the shuttle drivers are only asking the government to give them more time to paint their buses.

He said that most drivers operate on hire purchase, taking care of vehicle maintenance while the sellers focus on regular payments.

Idika also lamented the challenges faced by shuttle drivers, including harassment by ARTMA officials.

He appealed to ARTMA to adhere to the Commissioner’s directive and stop arresting drivers until further notice.

The Coordinator of Bus Drivers at Upper Iweka, Tochukwu Anagboso, also spoke to journalists, expressing disappointment over the treatment of drivers by the state government.

However, he commended Governor Soludo for understanding their plight and supporting his administration.

Anagboso said that shuttle bus drivers provide critical services to the public and the government, and their operations should not be disrupted. He noted that most buses are new to the state and should be given time to paint them in the Anambra colours.