From Chukwuma Odii
The governor of Ebonyi State has commended the transport unions in Ebonyi State for showing solidarity in support of his second term bid ahead the 2027 governorship election. The governor was represented by the Chief of Staff, Professor Emmanuel Echiegu during the solidarity rally held at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.
He thanked the transport unions for making out time to organize the event in support of governor's bid for a second term in office.
"Infact, it is an enormous sacrifice for you to have abandoned all your businesses for today. When I was coming to this occasion I saw over 300 tippers, keke and okada ridders heading to the stadium. This is heartwarming and I thank you so much for this solidarity. It is also heartwarming that our efforts are being appreciated across the state and beyond." he said. Adding that "several groups and bodies have endorsed the governor and I have represented him in over 20 of those solidarities."
The Chief of Staff disclosed that the governor holds the transport sector in a very high esteem and that is why there is a full fledged ministry of transport unlike other states where it is under the ministry of works.
"We have set up an e-compliant cab system, EBO CAB, where you can stay at the comfort of your bedroom and book a taxi that can take you to any part of Nigeria. The civil servants have not been left out. Buses were provided for their free transport to and from work. EBOTRANS have been greatly empowered, buses have been procured for them and modern Bus Stops have been provided in all parts of the state capital. I do not want to talk about the roads because it is only when you go to the rural areas that is when you will appreciate the governor's effort on road construction," he said.
He assured that the governor is not going to take the solidarity for granted.
"He is going to do more in the transport sector in his second tenure. So on behalf of our dear governor, I wholeheartedly accept this endorsement and assure you that the governor is not just out to contest but he will win convincingly," he maintained.
Prof. Echiegu urged the transport unions not to limit their vote and support to the governor alone.
"You should not stop at voting for the governor only, you have to vote for all the APC candidates from top to bottom, because if the governor wins and the APC government is not in place at all levels we are not going to be comfortable. So I urge you to vote APC for the president, senate, reps and house of assembly candidates all round," he reiterated.
On publicity, he argued that if other governor's have done what governor Nwifuru has done they will be media praises everywhere in Nigeria, insisting that the governor is a silent achiever who has done a lot in infrastructure and constructions which are ongoing across the state.
Chairman of the occasion and the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam in his opening remarks said that the massive turn out by the private transport sector to show solidarity to governor Nwifuru is unprecedented and historic. He observed that all the transport unions from the 13 local government areas of the state for the first time, voluntarily organized the endorsement rally to reciprocate the love and people oriented leadership of the governor. He noted that the history they created will be rewarded accordingly and charged them to sustain the support while congratulating the leadership for their maturity by coming out boldly to throw their weight in support of the governor's good works.
On his part, the Commissioner for Transport and Special Projects, Hon. Collins Emeka Igboke said that the gathering was one of united family to appreciate and endorse a leader whose administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment and advancement of the transport sector and promised that a second term of Governor Nwifuru will consolidate the gains already recorded and usher in Ebonyi State into greater prosperity.
The state chairman of the national union of road transport workers, Chukwuemeka Mbam, his counterparts in Association of Mass Transit Operators, Road Transport Employees Association, Tipper Drivers Union, Keke, Okada and other 8 unions in Ebonyi State enumerated in various policies and projects of Governor Nwifuru which gave them a level playing ground for their businesses to thrive and unanimously endorsed the governor for a second term.
Other stakeholders and government functionaries who graced the rally included the state Vice chairman of APC, SSA on Transport, SA on Transport and Works, Chairman, Committee on Transport, EBHA, Hon. Zumarock Nnunu, General Manager of EBOTRANS, his counterpart in EBO-CAB and other notable dignitaries.
Chukwuma Odii is the Public Relations Officer, Office of the Chief of Staff, Government House Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
