Abia: Govt. Bows To Pressure, Shifts  Date For Ban On Tricyclists, Motorcyclists Operations

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government, has effected a change in the commencement date of the restriction imposed on the operations of tricyclists and motorcyclists in the State.

The Source reports that the State Government had, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 announced the restriction of operations on tricyclists and motorcyclists in major cities of the State ,particularly Aba and Umuahia from 6.00am to 7.00pm.

The Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu who disclosed the development at a Media briefing in Umuahia, the State Capital, cited the State Government’s desire to curtail rising crime rate as a major reason.

He stated that credible intelligence  suggests strongly that most of the criminal activities in Aba and Umuahia, in recent times, have been perpetrated by criminals operating with tricycles and motorcycles .

Prince Nwachukwu lamented that of recent a lot of security breaches and issues, such as pickpocketing, robbery and other criminal activities have been on the increase in Aba and Umuahia.

He stated that  innocent and law abiding citizens and residents have been victims of such unwarranted robbery attacks and other criminal tendencies.

“A lot of reports have been lodged regarding an upsurge in criminal activities in major cities of the State. The reports available to Security Agencies indicate that most criminal activities like robberies do take place in the evening, late night and early morning hours in the cities.

“The Abia State Government has decided to curb the operations of the criminals who use tricycles ( keke) and motorcycles to perpetrate their activities” Prince Nwachukwu had stated .

He had announced July 1 2024 as the take-off date for the enforcement of the restriction order.

But in a statement on Monday, July 1, the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kalu, said the new enforcement date is now August 1 2024 .

However, he noted that the planned enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles operating in the State  will commence on July 1 2024 as earlier scheduled.

“This is to inform the general public ,that the planned restriction of the operations of Tricycles (keke) and Motorcycles ( okada) introduced by Abia state Government between the hours of 7pm and 6 am billed to start today ,Monday July 1 2024 has been shifted to August 1, 2024 .

“However,the enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles,tricycles and motorcycles in the transport sector in Abia State will commence today( July 1) as scheduled .

This adjustment is to accommodate the numerous pleas by Abians to be given more time to prepare for the effective implementation and enforcement of the  policy “the Commissioner stated.