. as DWCN alleges FG, sate government neglect
AMAECHI PERCY ONYEJEKWE, Awka
Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria (DWCN) on May 28, 2025 gathered in Awka , Anambra State. The event was the launching and inauguration of the club in the state.
About one thousand and five hundred members of the club were in attendance.
Heads of government agencies among which included FRSC, NSCDC, VIO, police were also in attendance.
The event which held at The Dora Akuyili Women Development Center had its theme as ‘ Importance of Drivers Welfare In Our Growing Economy:
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo on the occasion restated his commitment to providing security to drivers and every road user in the state.
Governor Soludo who when responding to the rematk of the the National Chairman of the club ,Comrade Monday Elumigbe said improving the welfare of the citizenry was part of agenda of his administration.
Elumigbe in his address had accused states and the Federal government of negligence , adding that vehicle drivers in the country were being marginalized.
He said that Government and private persons employ drivers and dismiss them at will without severance benefits.
He urged the Federal and state governments to treat their drivers as workers that deserve proper treatments and dismissal benefit’s.
He noted that alleged touting and criminalities in the motor parks in the country existed because of non recognition of vehicle drivers as essential contributors to economic growth of Nigeria.
” We aren’t touts. We are drivers..Our members constitute about seventy- five percent of the nation’s work force. Despite our efforts in growing the country’s economy, drivers are recruited and allegedly dismissed at will without severance benefits by their employers. We say no more to that. We will continue to support the government”, Elumigbe said.
He went ahead to reel out welfare packages to members of DWCN which included health insurance scheme, legal services, drivers data base , among other things.
Elumigbe who also urged government agencies to qeueu into the database warned drivers to obtain driving license , saying that the welfare package would only be available to registered, licenced drivers across the country.
Governor Soludo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Engineer Michael Obiekwe , who also represented the Commissioner for Transport in the state, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike on the occasion, stated that the state government still remained committed to improving the welfare of the citizenry expressed gladness at the event and stated as follows:
“We are glad to welcome all drivers in the state this launch of Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria (DWCN), Anambra State Chapter. We Understand that the objective of this forum is to create a formidable forum for all drivers in the state and country to receive a sustainable welfare package for themselves and their families.
‘”Your mission statement read ‘ W intend to provide various welfare packages leading to access to free health care, good insurance scheme that would cover the driver and five members of his family with any good hospital in the country.We shall ensure the driver incase of lose of life or partial disability sustained in any part of the country while carrying out his professional duty shall be entitled to life insurance cover while other packages will be provided to those with partial disabilities throughout their lifetime.
” Our government is fully committed to providing adequate security for drivers and other road users and also roviding a digitalized business environment that guarantee ease of doing business on our roads.
Governor Soludo went further to encourage the drivers to work in accord without related government agencies and abide by the law for good of the state and themselves.
” I , therefore, encourage you to always liasse with all government agencies affiliated to your sector and be law abiding in the discharge of all your functions. This will attract investors an
