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Keke
NAPEP to replace Okada in Abuja
By Moses Akaigwe
Friday, February 8, 2008
Those who hold the view that the restriction imposed two
years ago on commercial motorcycle operation (or okada) in
the Federal Capital would soon be reversed or relaxed, are
likely to have a change of thought sooner than later.
This because the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) plan a total eradication of commercial motorcycling
in Abuja, and in its place introduce the tricycle, another
quick means of commuting which will be easily accessible.
Dropping this hint in a Radio Nigeria phone-in programme monitored
in Lagos recently, the Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo
Umar, disclosed that relevant documents were being drafted,
and would be presented to the Federal Executive Council for
approval soon.
The FCT Minister explained that the security of life and property
in the area was of essence, and went a long way in influencing
the decisions taken by the authorities in recent times. He
also hinted that the use of private cars for commercial transportation
(kabukabu) would also be regulated. Ditto for the employment
of private security men (mai guards) and unregulated activities
of neighbourhood security operators.
Like the ban on mai ruwas (water hawkers), the restriction
of okada operation by the FCT, drew flaks from members of
the public which still linger to an extent, but the administration
went on with the reforms. According to Alhaji Umar, commendations,
rather than criticisms, are what the changes are now earning.
The importation of British-type Green Cabs for use in Abuja
also drew the ire of the local automotive industry chieftains
who queried the idea of bringing in fully built up vehicles
when thee are plants in Nigeria, notably Peugeot Automobile
of Nigeria (PAN), that could meet road needs of the capital
city.
However, a number of Peugeot products, are today part of the
Federal Capital’s transit system, where they are giving
a good account of themselves.
In a related development, the FCT last week unveiled some
new buses as part of the expansion of the mass transit scheme
in the territory. Speaking at the ceremony, the Transportation
Secretary in the administration, Engr Christopher. Chigbo,
hinted of the coming of Park-And-Ride arrangement which would
enable workers park their cars at designated points and hop
on the buses to their offices, and then return to the same
point to drive home at the close of work.
Chigbo, who represented the FCT Minister, said Park-And-Ride
was designed to limit the inflow of cars into Abuja, and expressed
the hope that it would go a long way in easing traffic jams
and transportation problems.
He said that the FCT Minister had directed that at least 20
of the newly commissioned buses be dedicated to the use of
school children, stressing that more units of such buses would
be procured and deployed soon.
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