The Edo State chapter of the Yaris Drivers Association of Nigeria, on Thursday took to the streets to protest the state government’s directive to repaint their vehicles in the state’s colour code for security reasons, contending that such a policy would push them out of business.
Insisting that the policy would do little to address the state’s security challenges, the aggrieved drivers feared that rather, it would restrict their access to places they currently operate and discourage patronage.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the protesters, who thronged the Edo State secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists displaying placards with various inscriptions such as: “Painting is not security,” “The code is the security,” and “Yaris drivers are responsible people; we are not criminals or kidnappers,” dismissed the directive as ineffective in tackling insecurity.
Spokesman of the group and chairman of the association, Paul Evbuomwan, said while the drivers supported Governor Monday Okpebholo’s efforts to combat insecurity, issuing operational codes to drivers would be more effective than repainting vehicles.
According to Evbuomwan, such codes would make it easier to track any vehicle involved in criminal activities, rather than relying on colour identification.
“Painting the vehicle does not in any way guarantee the security of passengers, whether inside or outside the vehicle.
“What we are asking for is the code. The painting will wear off on our vehicles and also affect our operations.
“With the repainting, we will be denied access to certain places such as banks, airports and some schools because the vehicles will be identified strictly as commercial.
“The essence of hiring a cab is to be taken directly to one’s destination. Now, passengers will be dropped at gates and asked to walk in. With time, people will stop patronising us,” Evbuomwan argued.
In his response, the state chairman of the NUJ, Festus Alenkhe, commended the drivers for conducting their protest peacefully.
Alenkhe assured them that their concerns would be adequately reported and given the necessary attention.