In a statement issued by the Plateau State Government to Media houses, through Emmanuel Nanle the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor and made available to newsmen in Jos, it has been announced that following Keke riders’ Strike action in the state on Monday 26th February 2018, the government of Plateau has banned indefinitely the use of Commercial tricycles popularly called Keke Napep in Jos with immediate effect.
The strike action embarked upon by the tricycle riders a.k.a Keke Napep, was influenced by the incessant harassment by VIO and FRSC, who reportedly asked to get a drivers License for N15,000 to N20,000.
It was gathered that activities in Jos metropolis of the state a city in the Middle Belt of Nigeria with a population of over 1 million people was halted, as many were seen trekking to their various places of service, while some were trapped at home.
T.H. Mayo, reported that the chairman of the amalgamated commercial tricycle and motorcycle owners ,repairers and riders association of nigeria (ACOMORAN), Alh Abdullahi Shehu Sarki, said their members had rejected the drivers license policy on the ground that the price was exorbitant.
He further disclosed that the association will sit with a government representative, before the end of the day and chat the way forward.
The riders, who converged on various locations in the city, including State House of Assembly, State Secretariat, Angwan Rukuba Junction, Dogon Karfe, Tudun Wada, Bauchi Road and Old Airport, Gangere Junction, among others, blocked roads and prevented the few who conveyed passengers from operating, thereby forcing the stranded passengers to trek several kilometres to their destinations.
However, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Gabriel Mafulul, who before the ban addressed some of the protesters, urged them to be calm as “government has suspended the policy and will engage in further consultation.”
Here’s the notice that conveyed the ban announcement;
