By Oguwike Nwachuku
Executive Editor
Edwin is a rider of one of the tricycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP, that dot the nooks and crannies of Owerri and its environs.
He has been riding the three-wheeled bike for about four years, makes a living to feed his family of six, and wants to continue with the business.
Two of his children are in primary school and two in secondary school in Owerri.
His major concern is how to benefit from the taxi cabs the Imo State government wants to distribute to tricycle operators as it plans to relocate them from the state capital to the suburbs.
Conveying this reporter round Owerri, Edwin (not his real name) says he is aware that the government has a bigger plan for Keke riders and a package that will change public transport without throwing the operators out of business.
“What that means is that we will not be thrown out of business and our business outlook will also change,” he tells TheNiche.
Taxi cabs complement Keke
About three years ago, the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed plans to launch a taxi scheme that will give the state a pride of place in public transport.
His Deputy, Eze Madumere, and former Works and Transportation Commissioner, Nick Oparandudu, both spoke on his behalf at different times, disclosing that the scheme will help ease transportation problems and restore sanity to Owerri roads.
But the moment information filtered out about government plans to launch taxi cab operation, the opposition latched on to it that Okorocha was planning to scrap Keke ride.
TheNiche learnt that the opposition wanted to use that as a political tool against his administration.
However, the government insisted that it has no intention of banning Keke operation in Owerri metropolis; instead, it would introduce taxis to complement the tricycles.
Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Uche Nwosu, explained at a meeting with the Imo Pilot Transport Association (Keke NAPEP) that the introduction of cabs would help maintain transport order in Owerri.
There are no plans to replace Keke with government acquired vehicles, he said, and urged Keke operators to be vigilant and partner with the security agencies to eradicate kidnapping and other crimes.
Nwosu also stressed the need for the association to enlighten its members on how to fish out criminals among them. He thanked them for their support for the Okorocha administration during the last election.
Ban rumour quashed
Vice President of the group, Bright Iroka, commended Nwosu for his humility, support, and cooperation with the association, saying the rumour on the ban of Keke emanated from a faction of the association.
Iroka reiterated that the association supports the Rescue Mission administration of Okorocha and will partner with security operatives to tackle kidnapping and other social ills.
Madumere told TheNiche that “the scheme will be the best thing to happen to all operators of Keke when it finally takes off. Okorocha is determined to give Keke riders the best and the best they will get.”
Oparandudu added that Keke operators make significant contributions towards the enthronement of the Imo Rescue Mission Government and must be the focal point in the replacement programme.
Owerri eyes modern city status
“It is true that the government is trying to introduce taxi cabs in Owerri. Owerri is now a modern city and there is no way you talk about a modern city without a modern taxi cab system,” Oparandudu said.
“If we must have a modern taxi system, we must make sure that the Imo pilot Keke operators are in the central part of that programme.
“Keke operators made significant contributions in the enthronement of the present administration and we must make the Keke operators the focus of the programme.”
He reiterated that Okorocha has deep interest in the welfare of Keke riders, and “those who are Keke operators today can be car owners tomorrow.”
He thanked them for the support they “have been giving to the present government” and for “protecting the vision” of Okorocha for Imo people.
“We are going to work as partners in developing Imo state,” Oparandudu added.
President of the group, Austin Ojukwu, said there is no governor in the history of Imo State who has matched the achievements of Okorocha. He thanked him for transforming Keke operation.
Unveiling KIA cars
Last week, Okorocha unveiled before journalists no fewer than 1,000 brand new KIA cars his administration procured for the taxi scheme.
He said the idea was carefully thought out, to upgrade the status of Keke riders to that of car owners, and restore order to the transport system.
He disclosed that Owerri is being planned as a megacity of tomorrow with the kind of infrastructure on the ground.
Because not all Keke riders will have the resources to buy off the taxi cabs, Okorocha explained, the government has a plan that will accommodate those who can pay in installments.
Wider scope for Keke operation
Asked what will happen to the numerous tricycles in Owerri and its environs, Okorocha said they will continue to operate in areas where the means of transport may pose challenges.
“There are still areas where Keke can operate. The suburbs, the outskirts. They will have the opportunity to ply the trade in such areas.
“But what we have simply done is to create more opportunities for our people rather than render them redundant as some people ignorantly think.”