The Kaduna State Government has prohibited tricycle operators from plying major roads within the metropolis, in line with the ongoing transport sector reform.

Director-General (DG), Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Hajiya Aisha Sa’idu-Bala, made the announcement in a statement in Kaduna where she said all tricycles, popularly known as “Keke,” are banned from the Kawo-Ali Akilu- Ahmadu Bello-Command Junction routes with effect from August 31, 2020.

The DG who said the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) would ensure strict compliance to the new tricycle regulations added that the State Government has developed new regulations for commercial transport operators in the state explaining that a Route and Tricycle Licensing System was being introduced to allow buses and tricycles to operate in designated areas of the metropolis. Her words:

“This is aimed at regulating and improving transport operations for increased safety, decongestion of traffic and bringing order in transport operations for passengers and operators alike.”  

The director-general who stated that KADSTRA began registration of Keke operations in July and would end in September advised all commercial transport operators to make sure they are duly registered to operate.

In reaction to the ban, some of the concerned operators said in Kaduna that the regulation would further shorten their sources of livelihood.

A commercial tricyclist, Mallam Danjuma Isa, said although, he resides at Unguwar Dosa, he operates mainly on the Barnawa-Kasuwa axis and Ahmadu Bello way. He said, “But with this development, operators will be restricted to their neighborhood meaning, those who reside at Kaduna North can only operate there and the same with those who leave at the Southern part of the city.”

Also speaking on the development, another commercial tricycle operator, Simon Dauda lamented that the development would grossly affect his income, as he said “as a father of four, this is my only source of income that caters to my family.”

Dauda who maintained that the development would also compound traffic flow as parts of the metropolis would be overcrowded with the vehicular movement since Keke operators can no longer ply the major roads, however, appealed to the Government to reconsider its decision bearing in mind the implications.