Trek Long Distances
It was a horrifying moment for residents of Kaduna State, following the ban on commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists by the state government.

Stranded residents said the recent policy, which also affected telecommunication services, is taking a serious toll on their lives.

Days after the ban, many have remained stranded at bus stops, while commercial bus operators cash on the situation to hike their fares.

Many, who cannot afford the hike are seen on major roads and highways trekking long distances to their destinations, where commercial buses could not access.

In some areas, the increase was as high as a 200 per cent of the initial fare.

Residents who can afford the new fare, were still stranded as buses do not meet the number of passengers.

Security operatives were on ground yesterday, arresting Keke operators (tricyclists) and commercial motorcyclists, who defied government orders to move out of Kaduna roads.

Some commuters, who spoke to The Guardian urged the state government to lift the ban on Okada and telecommunication services to reduce the pains on Kaduna residents.

Two of them, Mr. Abubakar Muhammed and Mr. Solomon Nnabuike, urged the state government to allow tricyclists to operate from 6:00a.m. to 7:00p.m., to reduce the pressure.

Also, persons with disabilities have also appealed to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-rufai to allow them use their personal motorcycles for easy movement.

Speaking on their behalf, Muhammad Salahuddeen Nuhu, who resides in Kakuri area of the state, said: “I’m personally staying in Kakuri, Makera, Kaduna. As a paralytic person, I cannot move without the use of a motorcycle. It is the only means of my going around to pursue my day-to-day activities. “Now, how do I begin again while I don’t have any other means,” he lamented.

“As a Kaduna State indigene, I’m vehemently not supporting the ban on motorcycle rides, at least in the Kaduna metropolis. Since the bandits are operating in the interior areas, the government should pursue them to the forest.

“In other parts of the world, governments use communication and technology to track down criminals. Why is it different in our case?

“Kaduna state government should immediately permit use of motorcycles within Kaduna metropolis and other localities not under incessant bandits’ raids.

“However, if the state authority fails to adhere to this call, I don’t have any option than to stage a one-person protest, asking the government to provide vehicles for me and others in similar difficulties to go about our legitimate businesses”.

Recall that Kaduna State Government on September 29, shut down telecommunications services and banned the use of commercial motorcyclists also known as Okada riders from operating in the state.

(The Guardian)

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