ABIA STATE GOVT RESTRICTS OKADA/KEKE MOVEMENT

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State Government has placed restriction time of operations of tricycles and motorcycles from 6am to 7pm daily in Aba and Umuahia with effect from July 1, 2024.

Announcing this to journalists in Umuahia after a meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu said the essence of the restriction “is to secure lives and property of the innocent law abiding citizens and residents of the state.”

Prince Nwachukwu explained that there had been rising cases of pick pocketing and robbery in the state, especially in Aba, hence the need to take necessary security measures to tackle the trend.

The Commissioner announced that a committee had been set up with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd) as the Chairman to address the matter.

The Committee with a select government officials would ensure compliance to compulsory registration of all tricycles, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

The aim is to capture the real data of these operators for security purposes.

According to the Commissioner, mutual understanding has been reached with executive of the relevant unions of the operators and therefore advised residents to comply with the directives.

He stressed that government would review the restriction if there was need to do so, noting that security agencies had been alerted on the restriction.

Prince Nwachukwu said that government would implement the policy with human face, assuring the people that there would be no victimization of innocent individuals.

Some executive members of various unions, who were at the briefing, said they endorsed the decision of the government and assured the government that their members would comply accordingly.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU