Don’t patronise tricycles in restricted areas – VIO

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has urged Abuja residents not to encourage the operation of tricycles in restricted areas. The Director DRTS, Wadata Aliyu Bodinga, who made the call, added that if residents desist from patronising tricycles and motorcyclists in such areas, their activities would be restricted to estates as it was supposed […]

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has urged Abuja residents not to encourage the operation of tricycles in restricted areas.

The Director DRTS, Wadata Aliyu Bodinga, who made the call, added that if residents desist from patronising tricycles and motorcyclists in such areas, their activities would be restricted to estates as it was supposed to be.

He said tricycles are not secure and safe for commuters.

Bodinga said the directorate, popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), would intensify enforcement to rid the city of nuisances caused by the operation of tricycles on highways, Federal Capital City (FCC) and other locations within the territory.

“We are appealing to the general public to equally join hands in the implementation of this policy. If all of us decide to boycott completely the use of this Keke NAPEP and okada they will vanish and go out of business especially in the areas that they are banned,” he said.

He said the agency had engaged the leadership of the tricycle operators on how to make them comply with the government directives.

“They constitute nuisance to other road users. We have already started intensive operation to make sure that rules and regulations in the FCT are maintained, especially road traffic rules,” he said.

“The areas they are supposed to operate are estates but some estates have rejected them because of their antecedents. Their issues have gone beyond traffic to security issues.

“We need to join hands so that we will not go back to where we were before where okada riders tormented residents by attacking motorists and pedestrians within the city,” he said.

He said there were alternative means of transport available for commuters including taxis.