Kogi Government Bans ‘Okada’ and ‘Keke Napep’ On The Highway

The Kogi State Ministry of Transportation has prohibited commercial tricycle and motorcycle (Okada) operators from operating on the state’s highways.

Okada and tricycle (Keke NAPEP) operators are only permitted to operate on township routes.

To prosecute defaulters and offenders, mobile courts have been established.

The ministry stated in a communiqué issued in Lokoja on Saturday that the restriction order will take effect on Monday, January 17, 2022.

• See Also: Accidents Reduce Massively In Lagos After Okada Ban

The restriction was part of far-reaching decisions made following extensive stakeholder meetings on Wednesday and Friday to address the issue of frequent accidents and the need for free traffic flow on Kogi roads.

The stakeholders meeting, presided over by Hon. Baron Joseph Okwoli, State Commissioner for Transportation, stated that the discussion was in line with the Ministry’s policy of strategizing and mapping out plans and programs to ensure smooth operations by road users and commuter safety.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji. Okeme Jibrail, the Commissioner directed Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) to submit the comprehensive list and biodata of all tricycle operators in the state to the Ministry on or before 4th February, 2022.

The communiqué read in part:

“Every Tricycle must be coded and branded in line with the designated area of operation

“All Tricycle and Okada operators must be guided against overloading.

“Tricycle operations must ensure that the left side of their tricycles are barricaded with iron rod to guide against any accidental fall on the road.

“Tricycle and Okada riders shall ensure that both left and right side mirrors are firmly fixed.

“Tricycle and Okada operators shall ensure that all necessary valid papers and documents are collected and produced on demand for inspection.

“All long trucks/vehicles operating within the state must observe minimal speed limits in residential areas.

“All vehicle road users operating within the state have been enjoined to validate their papers always.

• See Also: Okada Ban: Appeal Court Returns Commercial Motorcycles To Benin