Covid-19: Drivers, Keke Operators Receive Palliatives In Enugu
Keke and Okada riders as well as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Enugu West and Enugu East senatorial districts of Enugu State, weekend, received palliatives from the Enugu State government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Services and the Tertiary Education Trust (TET) Fund to cushion the impacts of Covid-19 on them.
Speaking when the Enugu State Emergency/Palliatives Committee distributed the items to the beneficiaries, some of the recipients commended Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on behalf of other collaborators for remembering them.
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Obinna Okeke, who plies his trade at New Market, said, “I’m happy that we have been remembered. It gives us a sense of belonging because this coronavirus affects us badly. No work. And they say we should carry only two passengers, and some passengers are not ready to pay N100 per drop.”
Another operator, Celestine Eze, said, “We are the worst affected. Most of us get money in the night. But with the curfew, we find it difficult to make both ends meet. Most of our members operate on hire purchase arrangements.”
A bus driver, who does not want his name mentioned, however, called for judicious distribution of the palliatives, stating that, “Nothing is perfect, but I hope all our members will get the palliatives. We don’t want some people to hijack the system.”
THE WHISTLER reports that the chairman, Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon Sam Ngene, and his information committee counterpart, Hon. Jeff Mbah, led the state government’s team to Enugu East and West senatorial districts, respectively. The events were witnessed by the deputy speaker of the House, Rt Hon Uche Ugwu; the chief whip, Hon Jane Eneh; Rt Hon Chuka Eneh (Udi South); Hon Chinedu Otaka (Aninri), Udi LGA chairman, Hon Ifeanyi Ago, and the executive secretary of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Nkechi Eneh.
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Some of the items given them were bags of rice, noodles, cooking oil, among others.
Meanwhile, operators of Keke and Okada as well as commercial drivers in Enugu North senatorial zone are billed to receive their own palliatives today.
