BUSINESS
End-of-Year Briefing: ASTOPU Umuahia Zone Celebrates Unity, Decency, and Reforms Under Otti as Union Sets Agenda for a Stronger 2026
The Abia State Tricycles Operators Union (ASTOPU), Umuahia Zone, on Monday, December 22, 2025, held its end-of-year briefing and get-together, bringing together tricycle stakeholders, unit heads, enforcers, and union officials at the Umuahia Zonal Office in a show of unity, gratitude, and renewed commitment to professionalism.
Addressing members at the gathering, the Umuahia Zonal Chairman of ASTOPU, Hon. Chinweotito Godson Appolos, returned all thanks to God Almighty for His divine protection and grace throughout the year, noting that surviving from January to December in spite of the challenges on the roads is a privilege that calls for gratitude.
He expressed delight at seeing members of the union come together to celebrate, share meals, and bond as one family, stressing that tricycle operators, by the nature of their daily engagement on the roads, witness the realities of life and therefore have every reason to acknowledge God’s mercy and protection.
Hon. Appolos further emphasized that ASTOPU remains a union built on decency and upright conduct, aligning with the values consistently promoted by the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR. He noted that the governor places premium importance on orderliness and decency, adding that the union is committed to ensuring that whenever ASTOPU is mentioned in public, it is associated with discipline, respectability, and responsible conduct.
In the spirit of the season, the Zonal Chairman announced that the union had made provisions to distribute Christmas palliatives to staff, enabling them to celebrate the festive period with their families and loved ones.
Earlier in his remarks, the Public Relations Officer of the union, Sir Hope Nwaogwugwu, welcomed participants and explained that the event was officially tagged “End-of-Year Briefing, Appreciation and Get-Together.”
He said the gathering was organised to appreciate members for their contributions, constructive feedback, and collective efforts in strengthening the union and supporting the development of Abia State.
Sir Nwaogwugwu commended members for identifying with the administration of Governor Alex Otti, recalling that shortly after his swearing-in in May 2023, the governor directed the merger of all tricycle unions into a single body to eliminate clashes and unhealthy rivalry among groups performing the same function.
According to him, the governor further restructured the union into two operational zones — Aba Zone and Umuahia Zone, and appointed capable and dedicated leadership to manage its affairs.
He also disclosed that the Otti administration put an end to the era of multiple taxation of tricycle operators, explaining that operators in the Aba Zone are free to operate within the Umuahia Zone without being subjected to repeated levies at different junctions and locations. He added that ASTOPU has remained one of the major beneficiaries of the extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects undertaken by the current administration, which have significantly eased movement and improved business for operators.
While encouraging members to sustain the gains recorded, the PRO warned that the union would not hesitate to discipline or weed out any bad elements whose actions could tarnish its image or undermine its objectives.
Contributing to the discussions, the Director of Operations of the union, Comrade Nwosu Kalu, cautioned some staff against abandoning their primary duties to pursue personal grievances, describing such actions as contrary to the union’s goals and objectives. He noted that although such behaviours had been overlooked in the past, there would be no tolerance for a repeat, as the union moves to strengthen discipline and efficiency in the coming year.
The end-of-year briefing concluded on a note of appreciation, reflection, and renewed resolve, with ASTOPU Umuahia Zone reaffirming its commitment to unity, professionalism, and constructive partnership with the
Abia State Government.