The Director General, Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) Taskforce Monitoring Team, Asaba, Delta State, Chief Uchenna Okafor (Onwa 1 Umute Kingdon), is a towering figure of the Nigerian transport system who never shied away from a fight in defence of his members.
He is a constant advocate for peace and justice for all and encourages progressive people everywhere to try harder for a better and more equitable society.
Okafor has been the COMTOA’s Taskforce Monitoring Team leader in Asaba since securing a reputation as a champion of transport workers, and urging operators of tricycles popularly call Keke to obey the transport rules.
Onwa 1 Umute Kingdon is love by his friends, respected by his foes and admired by all.
Okafor as the leader of Taskforce Monitoring Team, doesn’t shied away from a fight in defence of his members. He is a tower of strength, unflinchingly standing up for what he believes in. When he speaks, people listen. No wonder he was conferred as Onwa 1 Umute Kingdon, (Onwa means is Moon in Igbo vernacular).
A true leader when it came to fighting for social justice.
In this exclusive interview, Chief Okafor, praised the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for incorporating comprehensive transport policy that makes every means of transportation safe and efficient in the state.
Excerpts:
Let us met you Sir
I am Chief Okafor Uchenna, Onwa 1 of Umute Kingdom, Aniocha South Local government Area, Delta State. Am the Director General, Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) Taskforce Monitoring Team, Asaba, Delta State
Sir, how where you led into the Taskforce?
For about 10 years now. I started from Nshiagwu Junction as a Taskforce member, later on they make me the Chairman there in Aniocha South, Delta State. From there I moved to Asaba and started driving Keke,from there I went to their office and I told them about myself, that I was a Chairman Taskforce in Aniocha South Local Government Area. I presented my Identity Card, I applied for monitoring because in Asaba, Taskforce are working. Sometimes Keke drivers do have issue in different places, then I said ok and I apply. And I wrote to the office that I want to be monitoring the Taskforce,and have some boys that will be monitoring them, because I have the experience before, then they just approved it. I started with six boys, we move round Asaba, anywhere we see Taskforce intimidating Keke, we stop them before you know it, Keke people said they want me. Even the Taskforce said is me they want. Then they made me the DG.
What are your contribution towards the road transport service?
I am trying to make everything work. We are in charge of enforcing ticket for the State government. We make sure there is peace in Delta State.
What are your challenges so far?
Sometimes, you know, our riders prove stubborn and nonchalant. When they are requested to present their Ticket, some don’t have the Tickets because they have connections with influential people – they will start making noise, before you know it, 50 people will gather and will start fighting themselves. Sometimes those people from the North, they don’t agree, they want to have their own ticket in our State which is not possible. They must obey our Governor.
When where you conferred as the King of Umute Kingdom?
I was concerned last year – 2023.
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