The Abia State Government has put off its plan to enforce restrictions on the operations of tricycles and motorcycles popularly called Keke and Okada between 7 pm and 6 am starting from August 1, 2024.
A statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, said the restrictions have been put on hold, saying that the decision is to allow the implementation of “an alternative solution”.
The release states that the decision of the state government to push forward the date for the commencement of the enforcement of the restriction policy underscores the administration’s stance of giving a human face to governance and policy implementation. The release added the decision further confirms the fact that the people, at all times, are the centrepiece of all government’s policy actions.
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Kanu noted that while the enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles in the transport sector in Abia State continues as scheduled and state government in due course will announce a new date for the commencement of the restriction policy.
Azubuike Victor, chairman, of Tricycles Union, Aba Zone, Godson Chinwotito, chairman, of Tricycle Union Umuahia Zone and Ugbaja Chiemela, chairman of Motorcycles Union, unanimously endorsed the decision of the government, as regards the restriction time of the operators.
They applauded the government for getting them involved in the decision and assured, their members would comply accordingly.
Some tricycle riders have hailed the announcement, saying that it is a wise security decision by the state government as the previous date of commencement of the restriction coincided with the August 1 national protest.
Recall that July 1, 2024, was initially chosen by the Abia government for the enforcement, but the date was shifted to August 1, before the announcement to put it on hold.
A group of youth leaders under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) said that placing restrictions on people who use Keke and motorcycle operations as a means of livelihood was a misguided policy given the present economic situation.
In a statement issued by its President-General, Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL said that the new policy would exacerbate the economic hardships.
