There are strong indications that Delta State Government, has ordered the immediate suspension of all forms of levies imposed on commercial tricycle riders across the state.
Some commercial tricycle riders (popularly known as Keke drivers) in Warri South, Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the State, in the early hours of Tuesday April 1, staged protest, vowing that they won’t pay for waste basket, I.D card and apron, as demanded by the tricycle riders’ union.
One of the commercial tricycle riders, Godwin Iboyi, said that there was no justification for paying N12,000 as total amount for the waste basket, I.D card and apron.
When asked if the waste basket, I.D card and apron weren’t necessary to address sanitation across major roads and streets as well as for security purpose, Iboyi, responded: “We have paid for code number receipt, which is already a form of identification for our members. There is no security guarantee if we pay for I.D. card and apron, afterwards some passengers do rob keke riders and somebody can still wear the apron and steal.
“We will not take responsibility for passengers to be dumping their refuse on baskets in our keke, because whenever we ask where we would dump the refuse generated on the basket, no answer has been given to us. We are ready to continue buying 2 stickers and ticket.”
Another tricycle rider, who preferred anonymity, said if any keke rider buys the waste basket from the union, they will destroy it, even though he said that some of the commercial tricycle riders already purchased the waste basket.
When contacted, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, stated that the Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, has directed the leadership of the Tricycle Riders’ Union in the state, to halt collection of all forms of levies from the commercial tricycle riders, until all parties resolve the issue.
