From Chidi Precious, Umuahia

In a bid to celebrate ongoing road infrastructure improvements under Governor Alex Otti, the Abia State Tricycles Operators Union (ASTOPU) have rolled out a fuel palliative for its members across key areas of Aba, the commercial hub of the state.The event reinforces Otti’s image as a reform-driven leader, with transport operators positioning themselves as active stakeholders in his development agenda.

The initiative, flagged off by the Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, recognizes the role of commercial transport operators in driving economic development. The event witnessed the free distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to tricycle riders at designated filling stations including Tonimas (Aba-Owerri Road), New Filling Station (Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway), and Conoil (Asa Road), among others.At the launch, Dr. Ukaegbu described transportation as the backbone of development, emphasizing that operators are “partners in progress.” He called for greater tax compliance among riders and assured them that the government would safeguard their interests.“No one will exploit you. Your issues will be listened to and addressed,” Ukaegbu said, urging continuous adherence to traffic regulations.Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, highlighted the strategic role of transport in development. “Supporting ASTOPU is a step towards sustaining a structured and inclusive transport sector,” he said.ASTOPU Chairman, Victor Azubuike, said the fuel gesture was a celebration of the Governor’s achievements, particularly in road rehabilitation, which has improved tricycle operations in the city.“Before now, our tricycles were constantly in need of repairs due to bad roads. But today, we enjoy smoother rides. Our business has become more efficient,” Azubuike stated.The union also acknowledged improvements in drainage and water control, which they say have reduced flooding and damage to roads.Beneficiaries of the initiative, including Kingsley Nwachukwu and Akachi Orji, expressed gratitude for the support. “This is a huge relief at a time fuel costs have become unbearable,” said Nwachukwu.

 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked all of his Cabinet secretaries to submit their resignations on Thursday in what he called a “bold reset” of his administration following last week’s mid-term elections.

The elections saw more opposition candidates win crucial Senate seats, signaling shifting political tides.

Marcos, the 67-year-old son of the late Philippine dictator overthrown in 1986, won the presidency in a landslide in 2022, a stunning political comeback marked by a call for national unity.

However, his vice-presidential running mate, Sara Duterte, also widely popular, later distanced herself from Marcos in a falling-out that had sparked intense political discord.

Marcos had since emerged as one of the region’s most vocal critics of China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea, bolstered by support from the United States and other allies. Domestically, he continued to face significant challenges, including high inflation, unfulfilled promises to lower rice prices, and growing concerns over kidnappings and other crimes.

“This is not business as usual,” Marcos said in a government statement.

“The people have spoken and they expect results, not politics, not excuses. We hear them and we will act.” (AP/NAN)

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate operational issues related to driver’s licence issuance, revenue generation and usage within the last three years.The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Victor Ogene (APC-Bayelsa) at the plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Ogene said that a tripartite arrangement between Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) led to the digital issuance or renewal of a driver’s license. He said that the approving signature on a driver’s licence typically comes from a designated officer at the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the state where the licence application originated.He explained that a learner’s permit for driving a vehicle was first issued at a prescribed fee by Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the relevant state before the release of a driver’s licence.According to him, FRSC operates a Very Important Person (VIP) centre, ostensibly for the renewal of a driver’s licence, which is reportedly being used for issuing fresh driver’s licences that are not preceded with a learner’s permit.Ogene said that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) reviewed the fees payable for a five-year and three-year driver’s licence to N21,000 and N15,000 respectively for a vehicle, N11,000 and N7,000 respectively for a motorcycle or tricycle since Nov. 1, 2024.“FRSC is alleged to use its Information Processing Centre (IPC) for warehousing data for driver’s licences and shortchange the state Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the collection and usage of fees for processing driver’s licences.“Worried that FRSC is reportedly controlling and receiving accounts for drivers’ licence fees, the yearly revenue generated from chargeable fees which amounts to hundreds of billions of naira, is also allegedly unaccounted for by the VIO and various state boards of internal revenue.“Disturbed that the processing of drivers’ licences is unexplainably being delayed for upward of two to three years after the biometric data capturing of applicants.“Also disturbed that the huge debts the FRSC owes Galaxy Backbone Ltd. and other system consultants who are the network providers and maintainers of the biometrics data capturing system are responsible for the system slowdown and the resultant long delay in the issuance of driver’s licences,” he said.Ogene also expressed the need to clearly ascertain which public agency had the legal responsibility of designing, producing and issuing a driver’s licence.In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen said that the committee, when constituted, would report its findings within four weeks for further legislative action. (NAN)