Following the recent clash between the Delta State Management Committee on Public Motor Park/Transportation, Oleh Central Park and Tricylists, the Isoko South Local Government Council in collaboration with other stakeholders has taken a stand with the state government directives against Tricylists plying federal highways across the state.
Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, Chairman Isoko South Local Government Area during a town hall meeting held at Chief James Ekpre Otobo hall, Oleh reiterated that Keke are not permitted to ply the federal highways in the Council except in streets within town as a local means of transportation.
Mr. Dennis Obrogo, Secretary to the local Government, who ably represented Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, said that the issue at hand was not a subject of discussion or debate. “We are only implementing these laws for your safety, not for any financial benefits. The reason why the Governor allows Keke from Warri to Agbarho is because most of the Keke in Warri resides in Agbarho community. Also the last time the governor gave Keke to people in Asaba, he made provisions to convey the Keke’s to the various destination of the beneficiaries.
“We had to summon the Ughelli Motor Park Union to confirm or deny an allegation levied against them that there was a consensus agreement between them and the Tricylists to load passengers from Ughelli to lsoko. l want to reiterate that in Isoko south we do not allow Keke to ply the highways except in streets within town as a local means of transportation. We also regulate the number of passengers conveyed by vehicles plying the various routes in Delta State from the council as government will not fail to clampdown on those caught breaching the contract.”
He however urged the illegal Tricycle unit to consonant with the Isoko south chapter of the Delta State Motorcycle/Tricycle Riders Association in order to have harmonized united governance adding that, they should ensure that all disputes are peacefully resolved.
While reacting to the allegations, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Ughelli Motor Park Union, Comrade Ufuoma Solomon stated that actually, Tricylists made a plea which was initially granted an approval after due consideration from the Union with strict rules and regulations to ply the Otorwodo/Eboh-Iyede axis but with the new directives of the state government, the rights has been withdrawn.
The Divisional Police Officer of the lsoko south divisional police, Na Allah Moh, disclosed that there is a circular issued to such effect from the government house to the Commissioner of Police and it has been forwarded to all commandants, Divisional Police Officers and other heads of department in the Nigerian Police force in Delta state that on no account should Tricylists/Motorcyclists be allowed to ply highways and that they have been mandated to arrest and persecute anyone caught in the act.
The meeting which ended in a note of affirmation from the protesting Tricylists led by Mr. Onos in compliance with the state government directives was reassured of the local government’s commitment to their well-being and adopted strategies that will enhance their livelihood within the borders of Isoko nation.
