By Daniel Tyokua
No fewer than 251 tricycles popularly known as Keke NAPEP have been impounded for violation of planned route for their operations in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
The Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello, explained that the exercise took place within the last one month of strict enforcement of planned route directive for the operations of tricycles in the Territory.
He, however warned that the government might be forced to equally be looking at crushing defaulting tricycles, the way the motorcycles are been treated, after obtaining forfeiture order.
Bello disclosed that it was observed that driving around the city particularly in the evening, the operators of Keke NAPEP were seen riding through Area 3 to Area 7 down to Area 10, and almost operating all over the Central Business District of the FCC, which according to him is not acceptable.
He said: “All Keke NAPEP must operate outside the city centre, as they are supposed to provide last mile for commuters by going behind their residences in the estates and suburbs.
“So, to us the exercise is for warning those who have refused to obey simple understanding of the route plan already agreed upon. So we are taking them in now, and we are going to make them to face the mobile court for award of penalties.
“It is going to be a last warning, because we are now thinking whether we should equally be looking at crushing them, the way we have been doing with the motorcycles after obtaining forfeiture order”.
He continues: “To those who are investing in the Keke NAPEP business in the city should please call their operators to order”
