We’ll arrest tricycle, okada riders violating ban – FCTA
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated the already existing partial ban on operations of tricycles, otherwise called Keke NAPEP, and motorcycles (Okada) in some areas of the Territory.
FCTA Secretary for Transportation, Suleiman Abdulraham, reiterated this while addressing Keke and Okada operators during last round of enlightenment campaign before enforcement, and warned that any violator of the ban will be confiscated.
According to Abdulraman, the renewed vigour was as a result of the FCT minister’s recent executive order, reinforcing complete ban of Okada in the Federal Capital City (FCC), permitting them to ply their trade only in the satellite towns, while restricting Keke NAPEP operations to only estates across the FCT.
For Okada, he further explained that they were to operate in such places as Karshi, Orozo, Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and kurudu in AMAC; Goube and Kujekpa in Kuje Area Council; Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Area Council; as well as Kutunko and Kuturu in Gwagwalada Area Council.
He also warned that Keke activities must be restricted to Gaduwa estate and village, Galadimawa estates and village, Apo resettlement and Kabusa village; 1st, 2nd and 5th Avenues up to Setraco gate in Gwarinpa estate.
Other areas Keke operations are restricted include Fish market/EFAB, Idu, Karmo, Gwagwa, Dei dei, and Zuba; War College, CITEC Villa and inner side of Charley Boy area in Gwarinpa estate.
In Nyanya and Jikwoyi axis, Keke is permitted to operate FHA Nyanya, Karu village, Jikwoyi Market and Kurudu; as well as 3rd Avenue, Works and Housing estates in Gwarinpa.
However, leaders of the various operators’ associations, who formed part of the campaign, kept complaining bitterly that the Administration was not taking their suggestions on how to end the menace into consideration.
Chairman of 19 Northern States and FCT Keke/Okada National Council, Usman Gwazo, asked for more time from the Administration. He added that his men were law-abiding and open to effective ways of solving the problem, but not being chased away like non-Nigerians, insisting that they wanted to meet with the FCT Minister himself, whom they learnt was a listening father to make their case and appeal for more understanding.
In similar vein, FCT Chair, National Commercial Tricycles and Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association, Musa Ibrahim, urged the Administration not to use the Police for enforcement, as the Police would only make them their ‘ATM’.
While suggesting that more estates should be included in the list provided, and owners of estates contacted to allow them operate, the operators also said that their bio-data be taken for security and order, to which FCTA agreed intervene and approach estate owners.
Though the operators were poised for a fight, venting frustration, FCTA officials assured them that they were not being sent out of business, but it was imperative to maintain order in the territory, keep it safe for everyone and make it efficient.
