Tricycle operators in some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, downed tools for some hours and took to the streets in protest against the state government’s policy that prohibits taking more than 3 passengers.
The protest saw the tricycle operators, especially those plying the New Garage-Agodi gate route, bear placards with inscriptions like “No More Fine For four passengers, please governor consider us”, “Akin Fagbemi, we don’t have anything to do again, please have mercy on us”, “Please Seyi Makinde, save us from OYRTMA who are arresting fellow driver, N50,000 is too much”.
Some of the operators took their protest to the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Recall that the state government, through the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), last week began enforcement of its policy mandating bike riders to convey only one passenger, restricting tricycle operators to conveying passengers only on the back seat, while commercial cab operators are to have only one passenger beside the driver.
The Olubadan who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Mr Adeola Oloko, advised the operators to respect the law and go about their job lawfully.
“The purpose of the government is to provide a conducive environment for law and order. If they must protest, they must obtain a permit from police and they must not allow street urchins to implicate them. We promise to talk to the government agency concerned,” he said.
Speaking on the protest, State Commander, OYRTMA, Mr Adeoye Ayoade, explained that the state government came up with the policy to address the rate of accidents involving motorcycles, tricycles and cabs.
Since the commencement of enforcement, Adeoye said the body had impounded over 50 tricycles and their operators will face a mobile court on Tuesday.
Stating that the enforcement had been preceded with months of sensitising the vehicle operators, Adeoye said there was no going back on the policy.
“The policy is to reduce the rate of accidents. For motorcycle, it is one passenger; for a tricycle, you must not carry any passenger in front; for Micra, you must not carry more than one passenger in front.
“In December 2019 alone, we recorded about 50 accident cases in Ibadan alone and deaths were recorded in at least 30 cases. Most of the accidents are due to overloading and over speeding. With one passenger, they are able to elongate the lifespan of their vehicles.
“We started enforcement last week that any bike, Marwa, Micra caught flouting this policy of overloading will be impounded. Those already arrested will face the mobile court tomorrow.
“We have a lot arrested at our operational headquarters, Sanyo. We have close to 50 tricycles at our Sanyo headquarters, and many others here at our headquarters too.
“Even if they make a million a day, it does not worth the loss of any life. It is only the person that returns home safe that can say he or she has achieved,” Adeoye said.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune
