Tricycle operators in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday protested against the state government’s directive to remove carriers from their tricycles, alleging extortion by taskforce personnel and calling for a review of the policy.
Key Highlights:
- Ughelli Keke riders protested against the directive to remove carriers from tricycles.
- Operators alleged extortion, intimidation and excessive enforcement charges by taskforce personnel.
- Protesters said carriers are necessary for transporting goods and supporting their livelihoods.
- Operators appealed to the Delta State Government to review the restrictions.
- The Keke operators’ association called for dialogue and consultation with government authorities.
- Association officials urged protesters to suspend further demonstrations and avoid violence.
Keke Riders Protest in Ughelli
The operators gathered at the Post Office Roundabout before marching to the Ughelli Area Command and Ughelli ‘A’ Division Police Station.
They later proceeded to the Ughelli North Local Government Council Secretariat and the Ughelli branch secretariat of the Delta State Commercial Motorcycle and Keke Riders Association.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions including, “Keke is ₦8 million, how do we balance it?”, “Say no to oppression in Ughelli” and “How can we survive when even the cost of maintenance is high?”
They said the restrictions on their operations were making it increasingly difficult to earn a living amid rising operating and maintenance costs.
At the police area command, an officer urged the protesters to remain peaceful and ensure that the demonstration was conducted in an orderly manner.
Operators Oppose Carrier Removal
The operators said carriers were essential for transporting goods and that removing them would force customers to hire more expensive vehicles.
One of the protesters, Mr Daniel, said many tricycle operators were graduates who had turned to the business to support their families and pay their children’s school fees.
“Many of us are graduates who have no jobs. We use this Keke business to take care of our families and pay our children’s school fees. If the government helps us, we can manage ourselves and continue to provide for our families,” he said.
Another operator, Rev. Premier Odheza, appealed to the government to review the directive, citing economic hardship and rising maintenance costs.
“We are not millionaires. How can somebody carry their goods? Are they going to hire truck to move little things like mattresses? The economy is not pleasant anymore, and everybody is struggling,” he said.
Other protesters, including Joseph Ogheneovo, Rebecca Orido and Obaro Erezimena, also called for government intervention.
They urged the authorities to consider the economic realities confronting tricycle operators and raised concerns over alleged enforcement charges, restrictions on the transportation of goods and what they described as oppression, extortion and intimidation by taskforce personnel.
Protesters Seek Government Intervention
At the Ughelli North Local Government Council Secretariat, the protesters were unable to meet the chairman as the premises were reportedly deserted.
They subsequently proceeded to the secretariat of their association, where they reiterated their demands for government intervention.
Speaking to the protesters, the Deputy Chairman of the Keke Owners and Operators Association, Ughelli North Branch, Blessing Otu, said the association had appealed to the state government to intervene and review the restrictions affecting its members.
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Otu said he was summoned by the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) after the protesters visited the police station.
He said he subsequently addressed the protesters at the local government secretariat and explained that the association would consult its leadership in Asaba before taking further steps.
“I explained everything to him, and he said they would come here. When they arrived, I addressed them and explained the situation. I told them I would get back to them after consulting with my boss in Asaba to solicit on their behalf,” he said.
Association Calls for Dialogue
Otu said members had raised complaints bordering on alleged oppression, intimidation and restrictions on their operations.
He added that the association was working to address the concerns through public awareness and engagement with the authorities.
Otu appealed to the state government to find a solution that would enable operators to continue their businesses, noting that many residents depended on tricycles as a major means of transportation.
“We want to appeal to the government to intervene so that the restrictions on Keke operations in Ughelli North can be reviewed. Most of our members depend on Keke for their livelihood. We do not have enough alternative means of transportation here, and many people rely on Keke to move around,” he said.
He urged the protesters to remain calm and avoid violence or confrontation with the authorities, stressing the importance of dialogue and consultation.
Keke Riders Asked to Suspend Protest
Otu said the association had advised members to educate the public about the government’s directive rather than cause trouble or engage in alleged extortion.
“Many of our members do not listen to the radio, so we need to go out and educate them properly. That is what we told them yesterday, and we have repeated it today,” he said.
On the next line of action, Otu said the association had asked the protesters to suspend further demonstrations pending consultations with its leadership in Asaba.
“We do not want the protest to continue. We have asked them to suspend the protest first so that we can meet with our boss in Asaba. We need peace; we do not want violence or any form of disorder,” he said.
The operators called for dialogue with the relevant authorities, urging the government to consider their concerns and adopt measures that would enable them to continue their businesses without undue hardship.
