In a bid to fight crime and strengthen security in Enugu state, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has made known his plan to train tricycle riders and offer financial logistics support for their services.
This, he believes would enable them work hand in hand with other security agencies to put an end to attacks by hoodlums in the state.
Speaking at a security meeting with the tricycle riders, the governor said members of the association would be trained in the area of crime prevention, detention and identification and apprehension of criminal elements.
Chairman of the Tricycle Riders Association, Mr Benjamin Ejiofor, told the governor that the group members are victims of insecurity in the state even as they are committed to contributing immensely to its Internal Generated Revenue.
“Your excellency, our members are constantly victims of armed robbery assassination and menaces of all sorts when going about their normal businesses,” he stated.
Ugwuanyi in response, then called on the group to be part of the administration fight against crime.
He said members would be given financial support for their services after the training and security officers would be appointed in that regard, to liaise with the association to ensure that its objectives are achieved.
Furthermore, he stated that “it is for this reason that we have decided to formally engage you the tricycle riders in a scheme that will enable you work hand in hand with security agencies in areas of crime prevention detection as well as identification and apprehension of criminal elements in the state.
“In as much as this is a call of duty on you as citizens, we have decided to train you free of charge.
“Officers from security agencies will be appointed to liaise with you on daily basis in order to ensure that objectives of this initiative are fully realised.
“I count on your cooperation in this task as I reiterate our commitment to ensure you go about your business without undue molestation or harassment.”
Some members of the association have also expressed optimism over the fact that if well implemented, the exercise would indeed improve their standard of living.
