Abia State Government has debunked news making the rounds which has it that Abia state Government has banned Keke riders from plying major Roads in Abia especially in major urban areas of Aba and Umuahia. This information was made available to news men by the Commissioner of Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu.
It reads
Contrary to news making the rounds in certain quarters, Abia State Government has not banned commercial tricycles (Keke) from plying major roads either in Aba or Umuahia.
However, government is seriously concerned about the unruly behavior of some Keke operators who have practically converted every road and street corner into illegal parking and loading areas thereby grossly impeding free flow of traffic.
More worrisome to government is the continued flagrant disregard for traffic rules generally, including but not limited to operating without the necessary permits, driving against traffic, overloading, overspeeding, disregard for authorised traffic controllers etc, by the Keke operators, thereby constituting serious safety risks not only to themselves but also to other road users.
Based on the foregoing, we wish to warn and direct leaders of the various Keke Unions in the state to immediately work with the Ministry of Transport to ensure that Keke parks and loading areas are identified and properly designated along our major roads and streets. They must also ensure that there is total compliance with general traffic rules by their members.
The various Unions are hereby given 2 weeks to ensure total compliance or risk drastic measures from the state government.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, is desirous of ensuring that all citizens get full value from the ongoing urban renewal initiative of his administration without any individual or group constituting an impediment to its full realization.
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