Nationwide Protest: Abia Puts On Hold August 1  Enforcement Of Restrictions Order On Tricyclists

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For the second time,the Abia State Government has postponed the commencement date for the enforcement of its restriction order on  tricyclists and motorcyclists  in the State .

The restriction of operations billed to start on August 1 2024 has been put on hold ,according to a statement issued on Wednesday July 31,by the  Commissioner for Information ,Prince Okey Kalu.

The Source reports that the State Authorities had, in June, imposed a 6.00am to 7.00pm operational time on tricyclists operating in Abia major cities ,particularly Aba, the commercial centre and Umuahia the state capital.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ,Prince Uzo Nwachukwu, who  announced the development,said  intelligence at the disposal of the Government strongly suggested that most criminal activities in the state are being perpetrated with the aid of tricycles and motorcycles.

He noted that there have been  an upsurge in criminal activities in Aba and Umuahia with most of them carried out within the early and late hours of the day.

Prince Nwachukwu also stated  that the criminal elements usually operate with tricycles ,hence the need for the restriction order .

It had initially set July 1,2024 as the enforcement date .

But it later ,shifted the date to August 1 ,citing pleas from well meaning Abians as major reason.

The Government also said the postponement was to enable operators and other commercial automobile operators in the state to conclude their  registration formalities, which is part of the restriction order .

The suspension of the August 1 date, the Commissioner for Information said was occasioned by the August 1 nation wide protest ..

” The Abia state Government wishes to inform the public that the planned enforcement of restriction of the operations Tricycles (keke) and Motorcycles (okada) between the hours 7pm and  6 am billed to commence on 1st August ,2024 has been put on hold .

“This is sequel to the security realities and mood of the nation occasioned by the impending “Hunger and Hardship protest” that has been scheduled to start on the same 1st August ,2024 .

“The decision of the State Government to push forward the date for the commencement of the enforcement of the restriction policy underscores the administration’s stance of giving a human face to governance and policy implementation .

“It further confirms the fact the people at all times, are the centerpiece of all Government policy actions .

“While the enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles in the transport sector in Abia state continues as scheduled ,the Government will announce a new date for the formal commencement of the restriction policy” the statement reads .