
Aba, Abia State, Nigeria – Tricycle operators in Aba have made a heartfelt appeal to Governor Alex Otti to reconsider his decision to restrict their operations in the city from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am, effective August 1.
The operators, under the aegis of the Real Keke Operators Association, Aba (REKOAA), led by Chairman Chimezie Nwokejiobi, argued that the proposed restriction, aimed at curbing criminal activities involving some riders, would impose undue hardship on their members and commuters. They stressed that Aba, a bustling commercial city, cannot afford to shut down by 7:00 pm.
Nwokejiobi suggested that the issue of criminal activities could be better managed if their union is allowed to collaborate closely with security agencies. He highlighted that penalizing the majority for the actions of a few was unfair and counterproductive.
“We know the Governor means well for us. We know he means well for Abia. We are aware that within a space of one year, he has done what his predecessors couldn’t do for the past 16 years. So we have to assist him to achieve all the good plans he has for the state, especially on security,” Nwokejiobi stated.
He emphasized that the tricycle operators in Aba are committed to distancing themselves from criminal elements and supporting the government’s security efforts. The group praised Governor Otti for his infrastructural achievements and people-oriented governance but urged him to reconsider the restriction order.
“We the tricycle operators in Aba are here today to tell the Government and the good people of Abia State that we are not criminals and are not in support of all the criminal activities being perpetrated by those underage criminal elements using tricycles to commit crimes in the city of Aba,” Nwokejiobi added.
REKOAA warned that the restriction would not only bring hardship to their members but also undermine the government’s efforts to revive nightlife in Aba. They asserted that a functional tricycle operators’ union could effectively monitor and control criminal activities involving tricycles in the city.