FCT Bans Keke In Abuja, as Nigerians react

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - The recent ban by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA),  of tricycle, also known as “Keke” from plying the roads of the Federal Capital Territory, has resulted in a protest by Keke riders.

The ban on the tricycle transport business will keep over 40,000 people jobless.

The reason behind the banning according to the government is to curb the rate of crime going on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).   

The operators threatened to seek redress at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to fight for their rights which the government is denying them.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Monday, during the protest, the National President, Tricycle Owners Association, (TOA) Austin Apeh, and Chairman, Welfare Enforce Enforcement in FCT, affirmed that they would also ask the Court to determine whether the FCTA had the legislation from the National Assembly before the clampdown.  He also called on the government to disband the FCT Ministerial Joint Taskforce on Keke in the interest of peace.

He stated: “The FCTA said they would be banning us from the major routes and restrict us to the estates and villages. The decision is going to throw many people into the job markers because Keke business feeds over 40,000 persons in Abuja. We want to be proactive and come out on time because another evil is coming after the same assault 17 years ago.

“The government should disband the FCT Ministerial Joint Taskforce on Keke. We will go to the NICN to challenge the decision and fight for our rights. We will find out if they have the legislation from the National Assembly.

“Politically, they are betraying our trust because the present administration approached us for assistance during the 2019 general elections and we did our best to bring them to power. It is unfortunate that the people we brought to the office have turned against us. A tricycle costs N680,000 and if you multiply it by 40,000, you will know the investments that will be wasted.”

The TOA’s President also called on the Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Musa Bello, to caution the Taskforce “which operates like terrorists.”

He said, “They have formed a very dangerous Taskforce including Police, Army, Immigration, Civil Defence, among others against us. The decision is going to increase crime in the country, especially in the North. The FCT Minister should act fast.