Commercial tricycle operators in Rivers State have appealed to the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke to reconsider the 7 pm to 6 am restriction placed on ‘Keke’ operation in the area, describing the order as counterproductive.
The tricycle operators who spoke under the aegis of the All Keke Drivers Freedom Association (AKDFA), an affiliate of the National Union of Road Transports Workers, insisted it would be foolhardy to adopt a policy whose main goal, according to them, may be defeated in the end.
Speaking against the backdrop of the current difficulties experienced by commuters who have been subjected to trekking long distances to their homes since Monday, May 20, 2019 when the restriction took effect, the Rivers Chapter Chairman of the association, Comrade Friday Ovumgba urged the government to exercise restraint while taking certain decisions, adding that the demerits of the restriction far outweighs its benefits.
“We are not against government doing anything to curtail insecurity in the State, but what we advise as a Union is that in doing that, a lot of options should be considered. Every policy of government is geared towards the well-being of the citizens, so government must consider the effect on the people far and above everything”, he posited.
While recounting the fallout of the restriction order at Elioparanwo Community, where he disclosed that thousands of residents were forced to trek to their homes last Wednesday owing to the absence of Keke, a vehicle which had become the major means of transportation in the area, Comrade Ovumgba regretted that the same ugly scenario is playing out across many adjoining communities in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor LGAs as a result of the restriction.
He argued that it is even more dangerous for people to crowd the streets considering the current wave of killings and kidnappings around the State. “Take the Elioparanwo situation as an instance, what would have happened if these criminals materialized from nowhere and opened fire on these crowd trekking home?” he asked.
The State AKDFA boss said he was at a loss that the Obio Akpor Council Chairman decided to impose restrictions without consulting important stakeholders such as the AKDFA for its input.
“The Chairman called us to a meeting without discussing the issue of stopping Keke from 7 pm. What we discussed at the meeting was reckless driving by our members and how to stop them from blocking the roads and disrupting traffic. Of course, we went back and told our people to ensure that the roads are free at all times for other road user.
“So you can see our astonishment when we heard the announcement on radio that Keke should not be on the roads from 7 p.m. and that NURTW is happy with the decision”, he lamented.
Asked why commuters would not, under the circumstance, seek alternative means like boarding cabs to and from work, the union leader retorted that taxis would not make any difference.
“Let’s get it right, when some people say that criminality is facilitated by Keke, my mind quickly remembers criminals using taxis and other vehicles. I also remember what is called ‘one chance’. What about the havoc being wrecked by criminals in Ogoni, Emohua and Nkpodaya Rumuolumeni? Are these the actions of Keke operators?” he queried.
However, as a way of ensuring that criminals do not infiltrate their fold, Ovumgba disclosed that plans have been concluded by AKDFA in Rivers State to capture the biometrics of all Keke drivers in the State.
“We want to work together with both state and local government to make sure the state is safe for everybody, for investors to come. Investors come all the way from India and we manage Keke for them and from such transactions, we make profit. But because of insecurity, they are no longer coming. All hands must therefore be on deck and government should not sideline us in respect to security”, he said.
