Civil Society Organizations in Port Harcourt, Today 20th of September, 2018 embarked on anti-corruption rights education workshop with tricycle (keke) drivers in Rivers state,Nigeria.
The event which had in attendance comrade Enefaa Georgewill, chairman of Rivers Civil Society Organizations (RIVCSO), Ken Henshaw Executive Director of “ We The People”, a centre for social studies and development, Eseoghene Aboze Chief Executive Officer of Foundation For Keke Operators in South –South and South East(FOKOS), Keke drivers and other members of Civil Society Organizations was held at Iwofe in Port Harcourt.
In her opening address, the CEO of FOKOS Eseoghene Aboze said “my senior comrades I want you to know that the intimidation and harassment of keke drivers by law enforcement agencies, community and national union members is real, I brought you here so that you can hear from them”
The chairman of all unit chairmen of FOKOS Mr Godwin Nkwula in his speech said “We are suffering in the hands of Police, national union and community”.
Other Keke drivers who spoke at the event listed their challenge to include multiple taxation, extortion and arbitrary arrest by security agencies. They thanked the Civil Society Organizations for their concern in what the keke drivers are going through.
Comrade Enefaa chairman of RIVCSO, in his speech said “the unity of the keke drivers is very important; with unity you can achieve anything”.
Ejit Josiah, a research officer with “We the People” said “We came here to educate the keke drivers on their rights and to equip them with the necessary skills to fight against intimidation and corruption, knowing their right is not enough, they need the appropriate skills to tackle intimidation and corruption”.
The Civil Society Organizations also visited the Divisional Police Officer of Rumulomeni Police Division at Iwofe, U.A Sadiq to discuss issues centering on Police Civilian relationship.
