Abia government denies having plans to ban Keke operations

The Abia State Government has dismissed reports of a possible ban on commercial tricycles, popularly known as Keke, saying it has no plans to stop their operations across the state.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made the clarification while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the government would not be stampeded into banning Keke operations when there was no compelling reason to do so. Rather, he said the administration was focused on streamlining the operations of commercial vehicles and tricycles to create a more sanitary and efficient transport system while reducing congestion, particularly in major city centres.

The commissioner acknowledged that the number of Keke operators in Abia had increased following restrictions placed on their operations in some neighbouring states, but stressed that a ban was not on the government’s agenda.