The Abia State Ministry of Transport has announced that all tricycle operators, commonly known as Keke NAPEP riders in Umuahia and Aba, will undergo biometric capturing and obtain rider’s permit.

The directive, Issued by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, will be coordinated by the leaders of various tricycle unions in the State, and is intended to enhance security and maintain orderliness on the roads.

In a statement released by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ijeoma Okere, the biometric capturing exercise will be conducted at the offices of tricycle unions and accredited cyber cafes.

The ministry has urged all riders to comply with the directive, as enforcement of the policy will soon commence in the State.

Despite the government’s intention, some Keke NAPEP riders have accused the leaders of the tricycle unions of colluding with the State Ministry of Transport to extract money from them, suggesting that the policy is primarily a revenue drive for the government.

Nonetheless, other tricycle operators have expressed their willingness to participate in the biometric policy, while appealing to the government to make the rider’s permit affordable for them

The State Ministry of Transport has maintained that the policy is aimed at obtaining accurate data on Keke NAPEP operators in Abia State, with the goal of promoting security and orderliness in the State. (Saturday Tribune)