Over 500 tricycle operators in Umuahia,Abia state,today, blocked the road leading to the state Government House over the directive of the state government asking them pay N2,100 weekly ticket.

The tricycle riders who bore placards which read; “We say No to weekly ticket, but yes to daily ticket”, ”Abia has a listening Governor,say no to weekly ticket, say yes to daily ticket”, Weekly ticket is not in the interest of Keke riders”, among others,lamented that the weekly ticket would bring more hardship to them as most of them operate on hire purchase agreements and would not be able to make return to the owners of the tricycles.

They vowed to continue with the protest until the government reviews the decision.

Tricycle operators in Aba, had yesterday, also embarked on protest over the decision directing them to pay weekly.

Vanguard gathered that the tricycle operators were paying daily tolls of N350 each until the government directed them to commence paying N2,100, weekly.

The tricycle operators In Aba who barricaded the Bata junction told Vanguard that it is easier for them to pay daily tickets than the weekly one and urged the government to allow them the choice of paying either daily or weekly.

They said; “It is easier for us to pay N350 daily. The weekly payment is not convenient for us because majority of us operate on hire purchase agreement. We make returns to the owners,maintain our tricycles, buy petrol at high cost and even settle the policemen and touts who extort money from us. Let the government allow those who want to pay daily or weekly. But we are saying that weekly ticket is not in the best interest of Keke riders. We prefer the daily ticket where we buy tickets daily.”

Mayor of Aba South Council area,Chief Uche Wogu, who addressed the protesting tricycle operators, said the decision for them to pay weekly was made in consultation with the leaders of the tricycle unions.

Wogu ,who is the chairman of the State Harmonized taskforce,Aba zone, disclosed that the government was losing much revenue through the daily payment system where some tricycle riders only operate in the morning and evening hours to avoid the government revenue collectors during the working hours.

Responding to the protests, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, urged the leadership of the tricycle operators to engage the government on any issue or policy of government that affects them before resorting to protest.

He said; “This is a new policy and I think the best thing would have been to engage government in discussion.

“It’s obvious the tricycle operators were in a hurry to go and protest. The government has treated them with so much compassion and kindness, it doesn’t mean that government is stupid. Don’t forget that when the Governor came on board, there was tax holiday for them for months . Today, there is nothing like loading fee. In the past ,there was loading fee. The most important thing is that we will ensure that nobody is exploited.” (Vanguard)