… As Government Enforcement Takes Effect, Gives More Clarification
It was untold hardship in Lokoja, the metropolitan capital city of Kogi State as residents, mostly workers and Students were left stranded on the roads following the State Government ban on Okada, Tricycles From Plying Highways.
Hundreds of passengers who came out of their houses today morning got the shock of their lives as the popular okada and Keke Napep began the compliance to stay away from the Highways.
But in a swift reaction, Baron Joseph Okwoli, Kogi State Commissioner for Transport said the enforcement is misunderstood, as the mentioned means of transportation can ply up to Salem University while those plying the Felele axis can go as far as after the Federal University.
The Commissioner gave the clarification owing to misconception that the Okada and Keke Napep would stop at Ganaja Junction and New Market.
Few of the stranded passengers who were lucky today got lift by some private car owners, but majority had to track long distances to their destination.
Recall that the Kogi State Ministry of Transportation had last two weeks banned commercial tricycle and motorcycle (Okada) operators from plying highways in the state.
The Okada and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) operators are now only restricted to township routes.
The Government had said it would constitute a Mobile courts to prosecute defaulters and offenders.
Passengers mostly affected by the Government decision are those living in Ganaja Village, Felele, with Students of Federal University and Kogi State Polytechnic worst affected.
The State Ministry of Transport had In a communiqué issued in Lokoja two Saturday’s ago said the restricted order takes effect from Monday 17th January, 2022.
The restriction was part of far reaching decisions made after extensive stakeholders’ meetings on Wednesday and Friday to address the issue of incessant accidents and the need for free flow of traffic on Kogi roads.
The stakeholders meeting chaired by Hon. Baron Joseph Okwoli, the State Commissioner for Transportation, said the deliberation was in tandem with the policy of the Ministry to strategize and map out plans and programs to ensure smooth operations by road users and safety of commuters.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alh. Okeme Jibrail, the Commissioner directed Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) to submit the comprehensive list and biodata of all tricycle operators in the state to the Ministry on or before 4th February, 2022.
The communiqué read in part:
“Every Tricycle must be coded and branded in line with the designated area of operation
“All Tricycle and Okada operators must be guided against overloading
“Tricycle operations must ensure that the left side of their tricycles are barricaded with iron rod to guide against any accidental fall on the road.
“Tricycle and Okada riders shall ensure that both left and right side mirrors are firmly fixed.
“Tricycle and Okada operators shall ensure that all necessary valid papers and documents are collected and produced on demand for inspection.
“All long trucks/vehicles operating within the state must observe minimal speed limits in residential areas.
“All vehicle road users operating within the state have been enjoined to validate their papers always
“Vehicle road users are equally advised to co-operate with law enforcement agencies and officers.
“The Ministry of Transportation advise all vehicle road users to get acquainted and strictly adhere and comply with rules guiding road usage.”
The Ministry wished road users and commuters safe driving throughout the year 2022.