About 40,000 commercial drivers, including tricycle (Keke) operators, Yellow Buses and mini-bus drivers, are bracing up for a face-off with the Enugu State government over the planned restriction of their operations across major city routes in the state, to pave the way for a government-backed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The aggrieved drivers said an outright ban without alternatives could plunge over 200,000 households into poverty.

The government had insisted that the reform became necessary to modernise transportation — but the drivers accused officials of forcing them off the roads for the benefit of “politically connected private investors”.

A commercial driver, Michael Chieze said, “We are not against new buses, but the governor wants to drive us out of business with no alternative. How will we feed our families?”

The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, had, on Monday, unveiled a list of major corridors marked out for the government-owned BRT buses. They include: “Okpara Avenue–Abakaliki Road–New Haven Junction–Naira Triangle–Emene Airport; Ogui Road–Chime Avenue–Naira Triangle; New Haven Junction–Bisala Road–Rangers Avenue–WAEC–Nkpokiti–Zik’s Avenue and Ogui Road–Presidential Road–WAEC–Nkpokiti. All of Agbani Road.”

With nearly every major road included, drivers say the implications are clear: “Only government-approved BRT buses—allegedly controlled by the governor’s allies—will operate along city routes.”

Some commercial operators alleged that the restrictions will push them entirely off the road, although the government promised to “reorganise” rather than displace transport workers.

“If you remove us from all these routes, what is left? There are 18,000 Keke riders in Enugu. Where do you expect them to go?” a tricycle operator, Okeke Edeh, wondered.

The embattled drivers accused the government of prioritising private concessions over the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

The commissioner for transport revealed that the state has procured 200 CNG-powered BRT buses, and 4,000 electric taxis to be assembled at ANAMMCO in Enugu, with 1,000 expected in three months. He also disclosed that 84 new bus shelters, a smart central monitoring system, and an electronic Ije Card payment system will be distributed across the state.

“This reform is not about taking anyone’s job. BRT buses will operate primary routes, yellow buses secondary routes, and tricycle last-mile services. Everyone has a place,” the commissioner said.

But the drivers strongly disagreed with him. “How can we have a place when you have taken every major road? This is not reorganisation—this is displacement,” said one Obinna, a mini-bus driver.

Meanwhile, commercial operators further complained about being overstretched by steep tax increases: “Daily taxes jumped from N350 to N1,000; N10,000 for emblems; N10,000 for biometric registration (paid twice across administrations); N1,000 for MOT number and extra N200 “park and pay” fines.”

“Drivers are paying through their noses. And after taxing us to death, they now want to ban us,” a driver, Nwakpa Celestin, said.

Although some transport union officials have endorsed the government’s plan, many drivers alleged that they did so under pressure. One of the transport officers, RTEAN Chairman, Chidiebere Aniagu, who previously opposed the ban, is said to have made a U-turn to back the development, but sources claim that he did so reluctantly.

“We only ask that our members be employed in the new scheme and the government buys our vehicles,” Aniagu was quoted to have said.

Commercial drivers said the government should construct dedicated BRT corridors, rather than ban them from existing roads.

“Enugu roads were never built for specialised buses. If they want a BRT, let them build new lanes, instead of destroying our livelihood,” said a group of bus operators.

Although the commissioner has inaugurated a review committee of government and transport union representatives, the drivers said they will continue to resist the move until there is a clear guarantee that “they will not be forced out, their jobs are secured, and they can coexist with the BRT buses.” (The Sun)