PTONA Moves to Reclaim Lost Trust, Vows to End Illegal Levies, Reposition Transport Sector

The Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA) has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at restoring confidence among its members, tackling the menace of illegal road levies and repositioning the association as the authentic voice of public transport operators across the country.

Speaking during the association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos on Thursday, July 8, Acting President of PTONA, Comrade Uwemedimo Udo Essen, admitted that the association had suffered years of inactivity and loss of confidence, but assured members that a new era of transparency, accountability and purposeful leadership had begun.

Addressing members under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Repositioning PTONA,” Essen said the association was determined to reverse more than five years of silence that left transport operators vulnerable to exploitation and government neglect.

“For too long, trust was broken. For over five years, PTONA was silent. Our members felt abandoned. Our industry felt voiceless. Promises were made, but results were missing,” he declared.

According to him, transporters across the country have endured years of harassment, multiple illegal levies and intimidation without adequate representation, stressing that the renewed leadership would no longer allow members to fight alone.

He disclosed that PTONA would strengthen internal governance by embracing transparency in leadership and financial management, while ensuring that critical decisions affecting members are taken collectively rather than behind closed doors.

“Trust is not given; it is earned. We will earn it again through action, not slogans. Leadership will be transparent, accountable and answerable to our members,” Essen said.

As part of measures to defend the rights of transport operators, the Acting President announced the establishment of a Legal Unit that would challenge illegal taxation, extortion and harassment through the courts and sustained engagement with government authorities.

He also revealed plans to establish functional state coordinators in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that members’ concerns receive prompt attention at the national level.

“Our members’ problems will no longer end at the motor parks. Every genuine concern will reach the national leadership for action,” he assured.

Essen further outlined plans to reposition the association through increased membership, sustainable funding and strategic partnerships with government agencies, private organisations and international development partners.

According to him, the association would pursue programmes that provide transport operators with modern fleet financing opportunities, insurance packages, skills acquisition and professional training to improve service delivery across the industry.

“A trained transporter is a respected transporter. Our industry must move from mere survival to prosperity,” he stated.

The Acting President maintained that PTONA must become a formidable stakeholder in national transport policy formulation, insisting that governments at all levels should recognise the association as the legitimate representative of public transport operators nationwide.

“When government formulates transport policies, PTONA must be at the table because we represent drivers, conductors and operators from Lagos to Kano, Uyo to Sokoto, Abuja to Enugu,” he said.

Calling for unity among members, Essen stressed that rebuilding the association would require collective commitment rather than the efforts of the leadership alone.

“Repositioning PTONA is not the job of the President alone. It is the responsibility of every transporter. Trust is rebuilt when every one of us keeps our word and every park operates with discipline and dignity,” he said.

He described the 2026 AGM as the beginning of a fresh chapter for the association, declaring that PTONA had emerged from years of inactivity stronger, more united and determined to champion the welfare of transport operators across Nigeria.

“Today marks the end of invisibility. Today, PTONA steps back into the light—stronger, united and ready to serve. Together, let us restore the trust our people lost and reposition PTONA as the true voice of Nigerian transporters,” Essen concluded.

BY MIKE OCHONMA
EDITOR
mikeochonma@gmail.com

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