Tricycles Still Operate In PH Two Days After Ban

Two days after the expiration of deadline for ban on commercial tricycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP, in four local government areas in the State, the tricycles are still operating unmolested.

The Rivers State Government had banned commercial tricycles from operating in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Eleme and Oyigbo, fixing April 1, 2010 as the effective date for the ban.

The government backed its action with an enabling law cited as the Rivers State Road Traffic Law (Prohibition of Tricycles Law 2010) which outlaws tricycles from operating in the four afore-mentioned local government areas.

However, 48 hours after the expiration of the deadline, the tricycles are still operating as usual without any government or law enforcement officers enforcing the ban.

When contacted, the state commissioner for Transport, Hon. George Tolofari affirmed that the deadline  had not been extended.

He, however, did not explain what line of action government may take next, though, it is expected that security operatives may start enforcing the law after the Easter public holidays.

The law stipulates that anyone who contravenes the law on conviction will be liable to one month imprisonment or a fine of N10,000.

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