The Abia state Government says the operation of tricycles and motorcycles in Aba and Umuahia from 1st July, 2024 will be restricted between the hours of 7:00pm and 6:00am.
Briefing Journalists in his office after a meeting with stakeholders in the state’s transport sector the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu,who is also the Chairman of the Abia Harmonized Taskforce, pointed out that the essence of the restriction is to secure lives and property of innocent law-abiding citizens and residents of the state.
According to him, a lot of security issues ranging from pick pocketing and armed robbery have been reported recently in the state involving keke riders and stressed the need to take necessary security measures to arrest the challenge.
“A lot of issues have been reported about criminal activities. By the reports that are available to security agencies; most of these robberies, most of these attacks are happening in the evening hours, late night hours and very early morning hours in the cities,” Prince Nwachukwu stated.
Prince Nwachukwu announced that a committee has been set up with the Special Adviser to the governor on Security , Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah( Rtd )as the Chairman comprising other government officials to ensure compliance to compulsory registration of all tricycles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
The Commissioner explained that the essence is to identify the real owners or operators of such tricycles and motorcycles for security purposes.
“The state government also believes that it has to know exactly who is operating within our environment
“And so by that reason , all commercial vehicles , Okada, tricycles called Keke, mini buses, full buses, whatever anybody is using to run as commercial vehicle will now be enumerated and registered so that in the instances of criminal activities , government would know whose vehicle is responsible”
He disclosed that the government has held talks with executives of the relevant Keke and motorcycle unions and appealed to all Abians and residents to comply accordingly.
He added that the government would equally attempt to review the restriction when it becomes necessary, assuring that the government would ensure that innocent citizens are not victimized.
Also speaking, some executive members of various unions including Mr. Azubuike Victor, Chairman Tricycles Union, Aba Zone, Godson Chinwotito, Chairman Tricycle Union Umuahia zone and Ugbaja Chiemela , Chairman of Motorcycles Union,Aba endorsed the decision of the government as regards the restriction time of the operators and assured that their members will comply accordingly.
