By Uzoma Akobundu
No less than 45 tricycle operators otherwise called (keke drivers) on Thursday, October 12
blocked the entrance into the Imo State Government house, Owerri over the ban placed on their activities by the governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Ffrom Control post, World bank and Wethdral to the Government House, the keke drivers took charge, chanting songs that suggested the government had shortchanged them, and asking the governor to intervene.
Reasons for demonstration? They were surprised they had been banned completely effective Thursday, contrary to the deadline date earlier given to them, a date the governor said has come to stay for their ban within the state metropolis.
Some of them whom thought they have up to December 1, deadline to stop operating in the metropolis were disappointed as Okorocha said they should brace up for the order.
Their claim that suspected government officials were using the ban to intimidate and extort money from them did not move Okorocha.
“They have banned us three times. I believe Okorocha is not aware of all this, some people are taking advantage of the whole situation to get money,” one of the operators said.
Another added: “We want Okorocha to pity us. Let him show us where to ply within the capital city and not ban us completely. Some of us do not have jobs, except for this Keke.”
But Okorocha said that the first phase of ban for tricycle operating in the capital city of Owerri had commenced.
His words: “On this issue of Keke operators we have discussed with them and they seize to operate in some areas from today (Thursday). We have replaced them with taxis.
“What I understand is that the taxis we bought for them, they are using them outside the state, their reason was that as long as keke still ply in the capital city, it will be difficult for them to get passengers and they cannot compete with Keke.
“So fotunately enough those that got the taxis are the the same keke riders. As a result of this, they packed the taxis in their houses.
“However, we have agreed with them that we should start the first phase of the ban. That reminds me as from today (Thursday) there will be no Keke on Wethedral road and among other areas.
“We are also introducing Imo black cap. It is special designed buses, that help to take away VIPs. This is to compliment the effort of taxi scheme. It is a way to give Owerri a new look.”