The Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Aba Zone, on Monday organised a one-day seminar for tricycle operators aimed at enhancing safety, security and professionalism in the state’s transport sector.
The seminar featured presentations on defensive driving, traffic rules and regulations, tricycle maintenance, passenger safety, financial management and health insurance.
Declaring the seminar open in Aba on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, urged operators to become ambassadors of road safety by strictly adhering to traffic regulations and embracing responsible driving practices.
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Associate Professor Obioma Nwogbe, the Commissioner described the programme as an opportunity for operators to acquire life-saving knowledge and strengthen their professional competence rather than a mere routine exercise.
He expressed the government’s expectation that participants would leave the seminar better informed and more committed to promoting safe transportation across the state, adding that the seminar would be replicated in Umuahia.
Dr Ukaegbu reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Alex Otti to building a modern, safe, orderly and efficient transport system in Abia, stressing that achieving that objective requires collaboration among transport operators, unions, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.
According to him, such partnerships would help reduce road accidents, strengthen public confidence in the transport sector and create a transportation system that reflects the aspirations of the New Abia.
“With this training and seminar, the ASTOPU chairman is going to take the tricycle operators to the next level in terms of safety, in terms of security and in terms of operations because the training is going to cover defensive driving, safe driving and security consciousness.
“Keke operators will also be exposed to maintenance, financial management and other important areas. It is something that is going to generate good ideas with a multiplier effect for tricycle operators because, after the training, there should be noticeable changes in every operator across the state”, he said.
The Commissioner further urged operators to obey traffic laws, respect other road users, maintain their vehicles regularly, avoid dangerous driving practices and place the safety of passengers above every other consideration.
He also encouraged participants to engage actively during the sessions by asking questions and sharing experiences and commended the organisers, facilitators, security agencies and transport unions for promoting safety and professionalism within the transport ecosystem.
The Divisional Police Officer, Abayi Division, CSP Okereke Ogbonnaya, described the seminar as a commendable initiative and called for its continuity.
“It’s a nice programme. How I wish that the programme would continue to educate them on their safety and how to relay information to the security agencies in order to tackle security problems in the state”, he said.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commander of Narcotics in charge of Prevention, Sensitisation and Training at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Frank Nwaohamuo, warned operators against the use of illicit substances, stressing that drug abuse impairs judgement and increases the likelihood of road accidents.
“Stimulating drugs give a false impression of strength while affecting the brain, the spinal cord and one’s sense of judgement.
“Under the influence of drugs, you may see a trailer as if it is a bike, and you are in trouble. Drugs distort decision-making mechanisms, alter behaviour and affect the way people think and reason.
“You may even be speeding dangerously and still believe that you are moving slowly and have not yet started”, he warned.
The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aba, Mr. Uduma Uduma, said the essence of the seminar was to create a safer motoring environment across the state and urged tricycle operators to observe traffic regulations.
“If you observe, our roads are good now and that tends to encourage excessive speed. What we are doing today is to sensitise them on the need to remain safety conscious while using our roads”, he stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of ASTOPU, Aba Zone, Comrade Victor Azubuike, explained that the seminar was organised to educate operators on best practices necessary for ensuring safety and security on the roads.
He said participants were expected to acquire knowledge on traffic regulations, defensive driving, financial management, healthcare and vehicle maintenance.
Some participants, including Unit Chairman, Mr Chinagorom Azu, and the Chairman of High Life Cemetery Unit, Pastor Victor Mbah, described the training as highly beneficial.
They said the sessions exposed them to safe driving techniques, the dangers of drug abuse, passenger protection, health insurance and general security awareness.
The participants commended Governor Otti for ongoing infrastructural improvements in the state, particularly the rehabilitation of roads, and praised the leadership of ASTOPU in Aba Zone for organising what they described as an unprecedented initiative.
