Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Cab drivers on the platform of Yaris Drivers Association, Edo State chapter, has staged a peaceful protest against the state government’s directive of mandatory painting of their vehicle with the state colour code .
According to them, adopting the state colour code will hinder them access to areas they hitherto were accessing.
The group in their large numbers with placards of various inscriptions reading thus” Painting is not security, the code is the security, Yaris drivers are responsible people. We are not criminals or kidnappers”, said it is not the solution to rising insecurity in the state.
Addressing Journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council secretariat, the chairman of the association, Mr. Paul Evbuomwan said while they are in support of the governor’s fight against insecurity, he believes that giving the drivers code will be better as it will help in tracking any cabs used for criminal activities and not the colour.
“Painting the vehicle does not in any way secure anybody inside the vehicle, whether you are in or out of the vehicle at any time.
“So, what we are saying here is that, we want the code, but the painting is going to rub off on our cars. We can’t enter certain areas like banks.
“They will not allow us to enter inside because it’s a commercial vehicle painted. We cannot go to airports.
“We cannot go to some schools. We all know that if you hire a cab, the essence is for it to take you to your doorstep destination.
“Now, you are dropping the person at the airport gate and are asking the person to trek inside again. It’s just a matter of time. They will stop entering our vehicles”, Evbuomwan said.
On the part of the NUJ Chairman, Festus Alenkhe, he commended them for embarking on their protest in a peaceful manner.He assured them that their story will be given the necessary attention that it demands.
