The ban placed on commercial motorcycles in Kwara State has been concretised with the introduction of tricycles christened Keke Maigida.

The state governor Abdulfatah Ahmed launched 250 tricycles in Ilorin, the state capital, saying the introduction of the three-wheelers will be in phases.

The state government recently banned commercial motorcyclists on major routes in the metropolis.

His words: "I have been reliably informed that 'Keke Maigida will ply those routes in the metropolis where commercial motorcyclists have been banned. Let me restate here that the ban is not punitive but is designed to strengthen security for the safety of lives and properties in the state. Even though banned in densely populated areas of Ilorin, commercial motorcyclists are at liberty to operate in other areas of Ilorin metropolis and across other local government areas of the state.

"I therefore urge those affected by the ban to take the policy in good faith, believing that this government is their own and will do nothing to hamper their well-being. In the interest of our people, I charge those local government councils that are yet to key into the scheme to subscribe in order to ease transportation in their various localities."

Ahmed said the scheme was aimed at empowering people, generating employment and boosting entrepreneurship, adding that beneficiaries would be engaged in viable enterprise to ease transportation in the state.

The governor, who said the tricycles would go for N397,000 and operate in Ilorin metropolis where Okada had been banned, added that the programme was not punitive but to strengthen security of life and property.

He also enjoined local government areas that had not yet keyed into the scheme to subscribe in order to ease transportation in their various localities.

The governor also charged the Keke Maigida operators to avoid reckless activities to ensure gain, adding that they should abide by repayment scheme for others to benefit.

Also speaking, special adviser to the governor on Transport and Utility, Alhaji Usman Ajape, said the programme would help people in grassroots areas to reduce accident and improve security, thereby ensuring safety of life and property of commuters.

He said the scheme was conceived upon people's complaints to the government on how criminals use okada to carry out nefarious activities and escape arrest after committing crimes.

Ajape added that "as a committed colonel in your army, we shall ensure that this programme brings smiles to the faces of Kwarans.

"At this juncture, I wish to humbly request your approval for the purchase of taxi cabs and buses so that more requests and applications could be addressed. I also commend the Okada riders, members of the roads transport employers association of Nigeria and the national union of road transport workers for their understanding and cooperation aimed at improving the transportation scheme in the state."

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