Delta Govt set to enforce ban on Keke plying highways, defaulters to pay N20,000 as fine

By Ovasa Ogaga,

 

Delta State Government is set to begin enforcement of ban of tricycles popularly known as Keke from plying federal highways following the public outcry over the danger posed to commuters by Keke riders.

This development was made known today, (Monday) at the Government House Annex Warri during a meeting with the State Taskforce Chairman on Environment, led by Mr Sylvester Oromoni and the Keke Union Executive of both Warri and Uvwie.

The Taskforce chairman said prohibited routes in Delta State for Keke includes, Asaba Onitsha expressway, Asaba, NPA expressway Warri, DSC expressway Udu, Effurrun roundabout to Oghara expressway, PTI junction to Abraka-Agbor axis, DSC roundabout to Ughelli, Patani and Ozoro, Kwale- Asaba.

He disclosed that the meeting was called to ensure a free flow of traffic in Warri, Effurun and its environs, saying any Keke Napep plying federal highways henceforth, would be arrested and prosecuted.

He reiterated that only Buses, Taxis and other four-wheel vehicles are allowed to ply such routes, stressing that the essence of the bad is to reduce unavoidable fatal accidents and also to control heavy traffic jam on the highways.

According to Oromoni; “the Delta State government has banned tricycles from plying federal highways in Delta since Dr Uduaghan tenure as governor and Governor Okowa upon assumption upheld same.

“It is very unfortunate that Keke Napep drivers have refused to obey the law due to improper monitoring. We are here to reinforce the law, and anyone that violates the directive will pay N20,000 as fine.

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“I want to sternly warn tricycle operators that, after today’s meeting, they should desist from plying the highways stated above, noting that governor Okowa led government will not tolerate it anymore,” he stated.

In his response, the Chairman Keke Drivers Union Association of Delta State, Evang. Paul Onyema, said: “They are partnering with the environmental task force in order to stop Keke operators from using the above-mentioned highways in Warri and its environs.

“One of our major challenges is that many of the Keke riders are based in Ughelli, Agbarho and other nearby villages. And with this, they will have to drive through the prohibited route but we will discuss with them, if you must work around Warri, you will have to get a place to keep your Keke to resume the next day.

“As the Chairman, l have equally warned Keke operators from Agbarho, Ughelli to either operate where they are based or risk been arrested by taskforce officials.”

Mr, Samuel Atiyota Egere, Uvwie Chairman of the union in his statement said that he agreed that the Keke constitutes nuisance by parking indiscriminately, disobeying traffic rules and road crashes.

He said that he was also aware that there was no park allotted to Keke operators in the state but the state should out of their magnanimity look into creating parks for Keke assuring that his members will abide by the agreement with the Government not to ply highways.