No plan to ban tricycle in A’Ibom –Commissioner

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Bassey Abia, on Sunday evening in Uyo said the state government had no plan to ban tricycles.

Abia, at an induction for tricycle operators by the Federal Road Safety Corps, however, warned that if they constituted themselves into nuisance, the government might review its stand.

He said, “Akwa Ibom State Government has no intention to ban tricycle operation in the state. But this decision depends on how well the riders conduct themselves on the roads.

“If the government sees that the tricycle riders are constituting nuisance by not obeying basic traffic rules, which can lead to their death or passengers they carry, then government cannot fold its arms and watch the lawlessness, but will rather take steps that are necessary towards restoring sanity in the environment.”

He advised riders to always consider the lives of their passengers by not driving recklessly on the roads.

Meanwhile, the state command of the FRSC has implored tricycle riders to be safety conscious at all times.

The Public Enlightenment Officer, FRSC, Mr. God’sgift Uwem, said it was possible for the operators to be free from accidents if the obey traffic rules, shun alcohol and avoid making or receiving telephone calls during operation.

Noting that some of the operators do compete with vehicles, he said such practice was inimical to the safety of the riders as well as passengers.

Uwen told our correspondent that the myth associated with ‘ember months’ was imaginary, stating that misdemeanour by riders and motorists were often the cause of road crashes during the period.

According to him, the induction was part of the command’s bi-monthly sensitisation programme for the tricycle operators.

He said, “The rally is a continuation of the series of bi-monthly road safety awareness campaigns for tricycle operators in Uyo metropolis. This version was unique as it falls within the ember months.

 “We advise the operators to disregard the myth that ‘ember months’ are accident -ordained, but should avoid such traffic offences like overloading, over speeding, using of phones while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, lane indiscipline, and more.”