ASABA- Wheelbarrow pushers in Delta have called on the state government to give them due recognition, as given to other professionals in the transport sector.

Some of the wheelbarrow pushers told newsmen in Asaba that they were also contributing their quota to the economic development of the state.

One of them, Chidi Obinna, said that every person, who operated one form of business or the other in the various markets received assistance from the wheelbarrow pushers.

He said the attitude of Nigerians toward them was not encouraging, as “people see us as useless people, but they forget that there will be no smooth business without us”.

Obinna said: “If we embark on nationwide strike for one day, market men and women will realise how important we are.”

He said wheelbarrow pushers were important to the society, just as the commercial drivers and commercial motorcyclists.

He also said that they were satisfied with the little money they were making in the business.
“I am from a poor family, but l prefer doing this job because l cannot steal and l believe that l can make it in life without going into crime,” he said.

Another wheelbarrow pusher, who pleaded anonymity, said that government should involved them, when policies that had to do with transport sector were made.

He said further that security operatives should collaborate with them in their efforts to combat crime in the society.

He explained that the nature of their work would assist the security operatives to get useful information when necessary.

He advised jobless youths to engage in jobs that would provide them with means of livelihood, rather than getting involved in criminal activities.

A cosmetics seller in Asaba main market, Mrs. Ruth Ikechukwu, said that barrow pushers were really helping market men and women whenever they had heavy loads to move within the market.

“There are some places in the market where vehicles or okada cannot enter, but wheel barrows do help to convey our loads there.