In it efforts to stem the rising tide of insecurity in the State, the Abia State Government has announced restrictions on tricycle (Keke) and motorcycle (Okada) operations in two major cities in the State.
According to the Government, the operators are barred from 7 pm to 6 am daily in Aba and Umuahia with effect from July 1, 2024.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu. He stated this at a news conference held in his office after meeting with stakeholders in the State’s transport sector.
According to the Commissioner, the essence of the restriction is for the security of the State. He stated that the Government needs to secure the lives and property of law-abiding citizens and residents of the State.
He stated that security issues such as pickpocketing and robbery have been reported recently in the State. And these majorly carried out with the aid of tricycles. Therefore, the need to take necessary security measures to arrest the challenge.
He said, “The State Government has decided to curb the operations of the criminals who use this means of transport to perpetrate criminal activities.”
The Commissioner also stated that a Committee has been set up for the purpose. He pointed out that the Committee is headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd).
Other members of the Committee, he said, are Government officials from other ministries. He said this is to ensure compliance to compulsory registration of all tricycles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles in the State.
Nwachukwu also explained that the essence of the registration is to identify the real owners of the means of transportation. And also the operators of such tricycles and motorcycles for security purposes.
He, however, stated that the government would try to review the restriction when it becomes necessary.
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