Francis Sadhere
The President of the Delta State Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Nigeria (DSCMTUN) Chief Goddey Obi Nzete, has denied reports in one of the national dailies alleging that its members were involved in the killing of one tricycle rider in Warri, just as he called on members of the union to remain focused in their determination to assist the state government in curbing criminality in the state.
Addressing journalists at Warri Garage, at the weekend, Chief Nzete represented by the Public Relations Officer of the Union, Mr. Ochuko Johnson, described those peddling such rumours as detractors who are bent on tarnishing the image of the union, urging the general public to disregard the report as it was baseless and figment of imagination of some groups he described as dissidents groups.
He noted that some time ago, government haven seen the proliferation of tricycle and commercial motor cycle riders association in the state, decided to harmonies all which led to the formation of DSCMTUN, but regretted that some group of individuals have decided to cause confusion by forming parallel bodies that are working at cross purpose with over meant decision to regulate the activities of riders in the state.
He advised their members not to join issues with other bodies as the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction, adding that they have utmost confidence that the court would be able to unravel who is deceiving the public or order wise.
He stated that what the government was doing were for the benefit all the members of the union, urging the tricycle riders to cue into the programmes of the governor and help in tackling criminality in the state.
He added that the harmonized union will be responsible for checkmating criminals in the state as all the tricycles in the state are given a unified code that will identify them as members of the union, adding that if any of them is caught engaged in criminal activities he could easily be traced.
He said the other faction of the union who call themselves Keke Riders Association and National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORA) were not recognized by the state government, alleging that they were the ones who are going about committing all forms of criminality in state because they cannot be identified with the state code giving to all tricycle riders.
The Legal Adviser to DSCMTUN, Dr. Barrister Damian Orji, said they were prepared to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, reminding all the parties involved and their lawyers that the matter which is already with the Effurun High Court, adding that writing about a case in court should not arise.
